Universal Pre-K Research Paper

Did you know that if your child doesn't go to preschool your child is 25 percent more likely to drop out of school, 40 percent more likely to become a teen parent, and 70 percent more likely to be arrested for a violent crime? My aunt did not go to preschool therefore, she had to be held back in kindergarten twice because it was her first time being in a school environment, and so she didn’t know how to act or how to pay attention at the age 5, that’s just insane. She also became a teen parent, causing her to drop out of school at the age 17 so that she had to take care of her baby. All children should be required to go to preschool because it helps with brain development, child behavior development, and it can be cheaper (Five Surprising Facts

As an educator, I have strived to develop academic, social and emotional competencies in my students through creating a positive, enthusiastic and nurturing classroom environment with ample opportunities for hands-on experiences. I am passionate about fostering confident and curious lifelong learners by providing all students with opportunities to succeed in the classroom. I believe the role of a Early Childhood teacher is to address the necessary balance between academic facilitation within the classroom, and promoting a broadened cultural understanding of the world outside the classroom as a global citizen. To encourage each child to be themselves and help them gain self-esteem. Also, as a bilingual speaker I strongly believe in the importance of foreign language and cultural diversity, especially within the minds of young, developing learners.

On February 12th, 2012, in his State of the Union address, President Obama discussed the long-term benefits a universal preschool would have on today’s society. “In states that make it a priority to educate our youngest children…studies show students grow up more likely to read and do math at grade level, graduate high school, hold a job, form more stable families of their own. We know this works. So let’s do what works and make sure none of our children start the race of life already behind.” (Obama) Unfortunately, an overwhelming number of children, from low-poverty areas, are unable to access high-quality early childhood programs for their preschool aged children. Consequently,

Universal Pre-K is a development inside the American training framework to make access to preschool accessible to all families. The main difference that is driving these authors apart is the end results that Pre-K will leave on the child. In an article written by John Stossel, Catherine Brosseau, and Andrew Kirell, called “Universal Pre-K This Whole Thing is a Scam”: the three author see Universal Pre-K as a “flagrant waste of money”, they want parents to understand that this whole thing is a scam. On the other hand, in an article written by Nicholas Kristof called: “Pre-K the Great Debate, he believe that Universal Pre-K is “The best investment we can make in a child’s life”, he fully supports the program.

The evidence for positive economic, educational and health benefits from targeted preschool interventions is substantial (Barnett, 2010; Campbell, Conti, Heckman, Moon, Pinto, Pungello & Pan, 2014; Finn, 2010). However, the current research does not provide evidence that universal preschool will give the same long-term benefits as targeted preschool (Armor, 2014). This writer argues that universal preschool is not appropriate in the American context because the current government preschool programs have limited long term benefit, it subsidizes those who can afford to pay for private preschool and it takes money from targeted preschool for the neediest.

Early childhood education has many benefits and there is the potential for many significant outcomes if universal preschools were put into place. Some feel that children who start kindergarten without previously attended preschool sometimes lack certain skills such as social and communication skills and an inability to follow routines. There were also studies done that found attending preschool could help to close the achievement gap in the grade school years. A child’s first few years of life are most important, and they absorb the most during those years. By providing universal preschool, all children would be benefiting, especially those who are in at-risk families or part of the lower class. As a society, we have a responsibility to help the children in our communities and provide them with the education they need in order to help them succeed in life.

Preschool programs are designed specifically to make sure that children are ready for kindergarten and will be able to succeed in school by third grade. All preschool programs have three characteristics in common. They are governed by high program standards, are open to 3 and 4 year–olds, and focus on school readiness. The term universal preschool means that preschool programs are available to any child in a given state, regardless of family income, children’s abilities, or any other factors (Colker). Like Kindergarten in most states, the concept of the Universal Preschool Movement is to have a voluntary program, unlike compulsory elementary.

I really enjoyed reading your post and your experience working with a universal preschool. Universal preschools are “state-funded preschool programs” (Rock, 2015). These programs can be confused with Head Start Programs, however, the difference is one is state-funded while the other is federally-funded (Rock, 2015). I agree with you that this program is not a waste of money. I feel that a lot of other people have the same opinion. According to Bredekamp (2014, p. 5), “73% of voters in one poll said they supported funding to improve the quality of child care even if it meant paying higher taxes”.

It is a well-known fact that low-income children are falling behind their high-income counterparts due to restricted access to high-quality preschools and education. "Researchers estimate that half of the achievement gap in high school can be attributed to children’s experiences before age 5” (Olinsky, 2014). Having access to high-quality preschools increases the likelihood that a low-income student will graduate from high school, attend college, and earn higher wages as an adult. Although forty states have already adopted federally funded preschools, this should be mandatory in all 50 states and be available to all children “regardless of their background, start on a more level playing field, thereby combat inequality for the next generation of Americans” and “will give all children more of a fair shot to realize the American Dream by working hard and playing by the rules” (Olinsky, 2014; Pazzanese,

observations began at Five, we begun outside where he has a basketball hoop and we

For this developmental observation, I decided to observe Sarah. She is a five-year-old in the stage of early childhood staying at the Ronald McDonald House. She is a loving, fun, and energetic kid. It was interesting to observe her and see what seemed normal for a girl her age to act. I was able to learn from interacting and observing Sarah.

I too am concerned with the enormous cost of universal Pre-K. The middle-class already pays the highest portion of tax. Although, this cost would benefit middle-class parents, would it really just be a trade-off. Instead of paying daycare directly, they would be paying daycare through increased taxation. However, the highlighted advantages you stated from Doggett and Watt should be taken into account when one attempts to take a stand on universal Pre-K. Since the benefits of universal Pre-K are expected to reduce the educational gap of socioeconomic children and their peers, it stands to reason that the government’s present efforts to offer Pre-K to the poor is showing marginal effectiveness. This group of students are still entering

Hello, I’m glad to have you all here today. How about I introduce everyone to the “All-Around Kid” today? My full name is Andre’ Terrell Mills Jr., I was born here in the good life city of Albany, Georgia. I was born May 11th, 1997 on Mother’s Day which explains why I’m a momma’s boy. Moving along, while growing up I was fascinated by many things such as space, astronauts, drums, cartoons, and basketball. Even though these things intrigued my interests, I still did not know what I wanted to be when I got older. As I grew and grew, my interests matured as well as my thinking. With my improved thinking, by the age of seventeen I came to the conclusion of wanting to be a CEO of a major world company. At this age, The “All Around-Kid” has taken off in his thinking and is not looking back.

Victoria, your letter of encouragement to your kids was beautifully written. As parent, we strive to provide and nurture them. Just have patience, faith, and anything else will prevail. The strength and courage you are showing your kids will not only make them proud of you, but allow them to pursue their dreams as well. As I read your letter, you are a great role model and willing to achieve anythings for your kids. This comes from unconditional love from a mother with a kind and caring soul. I will keep you in my prayers and hope nothing but the best for you and your family.

Hallam Kindergarten is a 4-5 years old kindergarten run by the City of Casey council. Hallam Kindergarten is an excellent service, which have got “Exceeding” on the scale of National Quality Standards. The service has two degree qualified teachers with a diploma assistant educator to provide the quality teaching and learning environment. The service is a sun smart service. The major characteristic of the Hallam Kindergarten is its inclusiveness of a range of children. Children, who attend Hallam kindergarten come from different cultural families, speak a number of different languages and different cultural background. There are different support services included in the service to provide support and assistance to deal with a variety of children.