Paul Miller / commentary
February 13, 2014

Paul Miller

Paul Miller

In Jan, California Senate President pro Tempore Darrell Steinberg introduced the Kindergarten Readiness Act of 2022 (SB 837), legislation that would better and expand loftier-quality transitional kindergarten (TK) for all iv-year-olds, regardless of income. As the executive director of Kidango, one of the largest early childhood education providers in California, I take seen get-go-paw the positive impact of early on learning on a child's time to come, and that is why I support SB 837.

Providing TK for all 4-twelvemonth-olds will ensure that higher quality and effective preschool service will level the educational inequities California'southward various children confront. Through this bill, children will have access to a developmentally appropriate plan based on current brain research. And to ensure accountability and appropriate standards, TK would exist centered on the California Preschool Learning Foundations. The Preschool Learning Foundations outline fundamental knowledge and skills that nearly preschool-anile children tin achieve when provided with the kinds of interactions, instruction and environments that research has shown promote early learning and evolution – particularly through high-quality preschool programs.

Let me highlight one fundamental provision in the neb: SB 837 encourages a mixed delivery system of school districts and private providers in order to requite parents a pick among high-quality programs and ensure that the expertise, knowledge and passion from preschool providers are maximized to serve all 4-year-olds. Expanding access will require more preschools, not fewer, and creating potent, public-individual partnerships with providers like Kidango and others throughout California is the only way this vision for the hereafter volition be successful.

Additionally, this nib would address some challenges we are dealing with in the early education system while significantly expanding access. The current early learning system in California is non sustainable for assuring a quality program. California's part-day state preschool is collapsing considering information technology receives less than half of what kindergarten receives in funding, and the costs are rising rapidly. Preschool teachers are paid less than half of what kindergarten teachers make, which is why teacher turnover is so high. This model is a race to the bottom, and volition surely lead to the closure of more than preschools. Nether the pecker, the preschool reimbursement charge per unit will rise to two-thirds of the reimbursement level per pupil for kindergartners, now at $vii,555. Finally, preschool teachers could receive a professional wage similar their K-12 colleagues.

The research is at that place: Early on experiences profoundly shape children's potential to succeed in school and life. In those critical early on years, immature learners not simply start honing their bookish skills, they develop critically important learning skills such as paying attention, managing emotions and completing tasks. More than 100 studies in the U.Due south. lonely show that quality preschool significantly benefits children's schoolhouse success. Nosotros too know that every dollar invested in high-quality early on learning programs can save $7 in the course of fewer students existence held back or getting involved in criminal offense, and more graduating from loftier school and college and earning higher salaries.

But nosotros're falling short. The fact is, the achievement gap starts early on, and many children, especially low-income students and English language learners, are often two years behind their upper-income peers by the time they enter kindergarten. For those children, the "kickoff-behind, stay-behind" challenge is all likewise real. Many states such as New Jersey, Oklahoma, Michigan, Georgia and Illinois have invested in early education; only California has some catching up to do. Our students are non getting a stiff start when it matters most. Currently, 52 pct of our iiird graders test beneath proficient in English language Language Arts and more than 30 percentage are not proficient in mathematics. Enquiry shows that those who aren't reading proficiently in 3rd grade are 4 times more than likely to non graduate from high school. We are now facing a financial and political opportunity to make good on our commitment to the teaching of California's young children.

The fiscal landscape is improving after years of devastating cuts to child care and development programs. For the first time since 2008, the Legislative Analyst's Role is projecting a surplus, with predictable further improvement in the state'due south economy. Politically, we oasis't seen the will to support early education in recent years – but that'due south changing also. With the support of Associates and Senate leaders, Superintendent of Public Didactics Tom Torlakson, voters and children's advocates, there is growing momentum for expanding and improving TK for iv-year-olds. With the Kindergarten Readiness Act of 2014, nosotros have a path forward.

Despite my enthusiastic support for this pecker, I recognize that fifty-fifty the best-intentioned legislation tin can have unintended consequences. That's why there is time for input and revisions as the law moves through the Legislature, in which early learning experts volition provide support and work with the author to brand whatsoever necessary improvements to ensure the best for California children.

At its core, this nib is good for children. It takes the best from the current system and improves standards to ensure our children are getting the strong start they need and deserve. At present is the time to focus on ensuring all children are ready for kindergarten. At present is the time to support the Kindergarten Readiness Act. Our children cannot expect.

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Paul Miller is executive director of Kidango, a leader in early care and education. Kidango offers a wide multifariousness of programs to meet the diverse needs of children 0-12 years of age and their families in the San Francisco Bay Area.

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