To restate, I like for PreK to become a standard educational requirement in the USA like K-12th grade. First, one must explore the political process which advocates for this to happen. This particular topic fascinates me because it shows how positive early childhood education exposure promotes greater success in education for diverse possibilities in life.
In researching these topics this will allow me to establish a baseline. To see what programs and learning curriculums are in place to allow the children in the top 10 states/countries to excel in education. This can be broken down even further to see if some of the educational levels may happen to be Charter, Stem, Magnet or Montessori schools. I will start off with descriptive studies, “primarily to document what is going on or what exists” (Trochim, Donnelly, Arora, 2016). I will have my research be a longitudinal study to see how long have these top ten educational sectors held their place and how did they keep their position?
To look at this from a global perspective not just nationally; Australia believes in, “education for all. Placing at the top of the Education Index in the United Nations’ Human Development Report, the country-continent of 24 million expects students will complete an impressive 20-plus years of schooling (The U.S., for comparison, expects 16). In fact, 100% of preschool, primary- and secondary-school age kids are enrolled — and 94% of citizens over 25 have at least some secondary education. Hand-in-hand with full classrooms (in a teacher-student ratio of 14:1), Australia admirably supports its educators. The nation gives incentives to teachers taking rural hardship postings and, according to the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)’s 2015 Education for All Global Monitoring Report, is taking notable “steps toward pay parity for teachers at all levels” (Global Citizen, n.d.). This is a perfect example of how PreK is the foundation for greater success. It would not hurt for the US to take note of these accomplishments to obtain the same results.
Colleagues I welcome any advice or resources you have to offer while I embark on this new endeavor?
References
“10 Best Countries for Education Around The World.” Global Citizen, 14 Mar. 2020, www.globalcitizen.org/en/content/best-countries-education/.
Trochim, Donnelly, & Arora, (2016). Research methods: The essential knowledge base (2nd ed.). Boston, MA: Cengage Learning. https://www.cengagebrain.com/shop/isbn/9781133954774
Lewanda,
ReplyDeleteFirst, I wanted to say thank you so much for the five tips that you found for me! They were very helpful and I plan on looking into them more. Second, your topic is very interesting. I have always thought that preK is a very important step in the developmental process. Do you think if this were to become a requirement that preK should be an all day educational time or half day? The school that I teach at currently has an all day program (in PG county, Maryland). The county that I live in, however, only requires a half day program (Calvert County, Maryland). Which do you think is more effective and why?
Thank you for sharing,
Heather Rand
Hi Heather,
DeleteYou're more than welcome. I would award parents the choice to either sign their children up for 1/2 a day or full day from birth to 3yrs old. Then, from 3 to 5yrs old complete full days because naps are still given in PreK programs and children sleep for a good 1 1/2 to 2hrs. This will allow the children to rest from a full day of play and creative learning while parents can have a full work day schedule.Therefore, I believe full-time PreK programs are a great curriculum in preparation for kindergarten.
Lewanda,
ReplyDeleteYou have selected such a great topic. It should be evident to everyone that the earliest education possible is best for a child and their future. With funds being allocated to so many other areas within education there should have been a policy written and made mandatory long ago that children be afforded an education as early as their Pre k years."A recent report released by UNICEF shows that children enrolled in pre-primary education are more likely to stay in school and to attain minimum reading and mathematics competencies extending beyond primary school. Additionally, children who have attended pre-primary education are more likely to enter school on time, less likely to repeat grades, and more likely to complete primary and secondary school. A no-brainer, right?" (Wisthuff,2019).
Resource
Wisthuff, R. (2019, July 11). A No-Brainer: Advocating for Early Childhood Education. Retrieved from https://www.unicefusa.org/stories/no-brainer-advocating-early-childhood-education/36140
Violanda,
DeleteYou're absolutely correct!!! Why this is a no-brainer for all beats me!
Hi Lewanda,
ReplyDeleteWhen I worked in a Title I school, I could see how those who went to Pre-K did much better in the classroom than those who didn't. Those who went to Pre-K were more prepared and ready for the classroom. Those who did not attend Pre-K had to catch up to their peers academically and socially. Do you think those students who did not attend Pre-K had some circumstances that kept them from attending? What do you think should be the process for children who could not attend Pre-K because of outlying circumstances?
Hello Channae,
DeleteI think there should be no outlying circumstances that would prohibit children to attend PreK. If we can make PreK become a requirement same as K-12th grades it will become the norm for society as opposed to a luxury for either ones who can afford it or others who qualify for assistance.
Hi Lewanda, through research I have found some valuable information on your subject. Kindergartens in the United States had moved away from child-centered education to academic preparation for first grade. Between 82 percent and 95 percent of five-year-olds attended kindergarten. In 1986 Mississippi became the last state to offer public kindergartens. As of the 1980s, ten states required children to attend kindergarten, and most states required teacher certification in elementary education, fewer in kindergarten or early childhood education. Today, about four million children in the United States attend kindergarten, over three million of those in public schools.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.faqs.org/childhood/Ke-Me/Kindergarten.html
Hello Tammy,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your resource information.