Early Education in America

1. Early Education in America Julie Fallon Ivy Tech Community College

2. Standard #5: Application of Content The teacher understands how to connect concepts and use differing perspectives to engage learners in critical thinking, creativity, and collaborative problem solving related to authentic local and global issues. Brief Description: For this project I have developed a Power Point Presentationto demonstrate my knowledge on the contemporary issue of Early Education in America. Rationale: To document my understanding of Standard #2, Learning Differences, I have created a Power Point as a tool to promote discussion on the current issue of Early Education and the substantial evidence of its long term effect on children.

3. “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.”                                                                                              President Barack Obama          State of the Union, February 12, 2013

4. Education starts at birth. The brain develops most rapidly from birth to age 5. Every child deserves an early education. Too many are children are denied access to quality programs.

5. Everything I Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten. . . Now Children Need to Learn it Before Their First Day!

6. In 1997, the National Educational Goals Panel declared a national priority for all children to enter school “ready to learn.” Kindergarten “readiness” is still a broad and largely undefined term. However, increased academic achievement demands have put children without prior school experience behind before they even enter the doors. So how do we define “ready”?

7. ReadinessChecklist: Knows to follow text from left to right and top to bottom Recognizes rhyming sounds Can retell a story and make predictions Pays attention Follows 2-3 step directions Interacts well socially Expresses feelings and emotions • Knows entire name • Can write name using both upper and lower case • Recognizes letters • Knows beginning sounds of letters • Recognizes numbers • Counts to 20 or higher • Knows shapes and colors • Knows how to properly hold a book

8. Head Start(1965) – provides children from low-income families free access to early education • Even Start Title I, Part B(1988) – integrates adult education and early childhood learning with family literacy programs • Early Head Start(1995) – funds programs for low-income families supporting 2 generations • No Child Left Behind(2001) – promotes the use of Title I, Part A, to fund pre-school programs • Early Reading First(2002) – extends the goals of NCLB under Reading First to preschoolers • Special Education Preschool Grants (2002) – funding for preschool students ages 3 to 5 under IDEA • Special Education Grants for Infants and Families(2007) – Part C of IDEA (birth to 2 for children with disabilities) • Child Care Development Fund (revised)– assists low income families in obtaining child care so they can work or attend training/education.  Timeline of Federal Programs

9. Congress is currently debating the role of the federal government in education. PROS CONS Child Care Centers and Legislative Standpoint: Universal preschool will be too costly and take away from K-12 schools Private schools will suffer from families choosing “free” education More regulations and standards will be set, locally made decisions best serve local areas The Economic Standpoint: • Inequality of access to early education produces long lasting negative social and economic outcomes • Federal investment can help provide equal opportunity • Equality across the country will prepare us to compete better globally

10. Should every child be provided access to early education? Should the federal government be involved in the decision of early education?

11. Bibliography • Why It Matters. (2010). Retrieved from First Five Years Fund: http://www.ffyf.org/content/why-it-matters • Role Of The Federal Government In Public Education: Where Are We Now And The Impact Upon Early Childhood Education. (2011). Retrieved from LWV League of Women Voters: http://www.lwv.org/content/role-federal-government-public-education-where-are-we-now-and-impact-upon-early-childhood • The Race to the Top Competition Spurs Education Reform. (2012). Retrieved from Opposing Viewpoints in Context: http://ic.galegroup.com.indianapolis.libproxy.ivytech.edu.allstate.libproxy.ivytech.edu/ic/ovic/ViewpointsDetailsPage/ViewpointsDetailsWindow?failOverType=&query=&prodId=OVIC&windowstate=normal&contentModules=&mode=view&displayGroupName=Viewpoints&dviSele • Access to Kindergarten: Age Issues in State Statutes. (2013). Retrieved from ECS State Notes: http://mb2.ecs.org/reports/Report.aspx?id=32

12. Fact Sheet President Obama’s Plan for Early Education for all Americans. (2013, February 13). Retrieved from The White House: http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2013/02/13/fact-sheet-president-obama-s-plan-early-education-all-americans • Allphin, L. (2011, January 5). 10 Reading Readiness Skills for Kindergarteners. Retrieved from Education.Com: http://www.education.com/magazine/article/Pre_Kindergarten_Reading_Skills/?page=2 • Hatcher, B., Nuner, J., & Paulsel, J. (2012). Kindergarten Readiness and Preschools: Teachers' and Parents' Beliefs within and across Programs. Early Childhood Research & Practice. • Kahdaroo, S. T. (2013, April 10). Obama budget's big education items: Preschool for All, college Race to the Top . Retrieved from DC Decoder: http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/DC-Decoder/2013/0410/Obama-budget-s-big-education-items-Preschool-for-All-college-Race-to-the-Top-video • Wildenger, L. K., & McIntyre, L. (2012). Investigating the Relation between Kindergarten Preparation and Child Socio-Behavioral School Outcomes. Early Childhood Education Journal, 40(3), 169-176.