Committing to kids
There’s no sugarcoating it: The final budget approved by the N.C. General Assembly is bad for children and families.
North Carolina for several years has been trying to identify what it should be required to do in preparing children, especially poor children, to take full advantage of public school. There are strong legal arguments in favor of pre-kindergarten programs.
But however the state constitution and the tangled history of the landmark Leandro school opportunities case are sliced and diced, it couldn’t be clearer that pre-K ought to be made widely available as a matter of good public policy.
Zero. Out of more than 1,000 questions asked during 20 primary presidential debates there was not one on an issue that military leaders have called a matter of urgent national security, economists have called critical to America’s competitive future, law enforcement officials have called a key tool in reducing crime and educators have called vital to academic success. The issue – early childhood education.
Want to weigh in on a legislative proposal to privatize Pre-K? You’ll have to act fast. The House Select Committee on Early Childhood Education Improvement is accepting public comments through the close of business this afternoon.
Children’s advocates are troubled by the fact the draft report would narrow the financial eligibility for NC Pre-K.
Let's get the label right. North Carolina's attempts to provide state-funded pre-school chances for at-risk kids don't represent a social welfare program or a giveaway or a wanton waste of taxpayers dollars. The pre-K program, which gives poor children and others who need extra help a chance to start school on better footing, thus improving their chances throughout high school and beyond, is an investment. Pure and simple, that's it.
North Carolinians have long recognized that children are one of our state’s most valuable resources and their success is our success. Investing in the health, safety, education and financial security of our children are among the most important duties of our society. As the recession continues to stress North Carolinians, it is critical that policymakers focus on preserving services for children and families.
