Notes from the Blue Bear Republic

Prop 82: Universal Preschool - A Parent's Eye View

It’s too bad that Senator Don Perata (D-Oakland) has come out against Proposition 82. As a former teacher, he really should know better.

Back in 2001 I went shopping for daycare for my then-three-year-old son here in Sacramento. I was struck by the disparity in educational skills possessed by the various sites I looked over. While they all touted school readiness as a critical part of their program, seeing typos all over teacher-prepared materials at some sites didn’t make me feel very comfortable with what some had to offer. Other materials were poorly constructed and the instructors, most of whom had training far short of a credentialed teacher, were uneven. Perhaps the most damning criticism came from one of my son’s later kindergarten classmates, who flunked kindergarten after reportedly attending preschool in another area.

Many preschool instructors are inspired, prepared and offer valuable services to youngsters. They have to. My son was bringing a packet of homework home in his first week of school. Students are expected to come in to school already grounded in the alphabet, numbers, colors and many basic skills. It’s not kindergarten as school preparatory anymore. It’s pre-first grade.

Our higher standards in public education have effectively added a whole new grade level to public education. Proposition 82 recognizes this by offering trained credentialed instruction to truly prepare children as we now expect them to be prepared for school.
Senator Perata claims that it would apply unequally to richer and poorer students. In fact, the opposite would be true. Currently, a family’s ability to pay strongly affects the quality of preschool their children enjoy. Proposition 82 would offer a level playing field of service and standards.

Senator Perata also says that it might draw teachers away from K-12. This is highly unlikely. Teachers generally work with the grade levels they feel the most comfortable with and are trained for. This would, in fact, open up more professional opportunities for trained teachers. My wife teaches in the Sacramento City Unified School District and reports at least four applicants for every job posted. Contrary to the conventional wisdom of the “teacher shortage”, there are plenty of qualified people out there willing and able to take on these duties.

Past legislators have proposed using the proposed tax increase on higher incomes to balance the state budget. But a legislative tax hike requires Republican agreement, and that’s not likely. A ballot initiative can levy the tax by simple majority. Doesn’t it make sense to use a ballot initiative to target this revenue stream where it can do a world of good, by ensuring quality universal preschool?

I am currently a parent co-leader of a volunteer project at my son’s school using First 5 funds to promote health, safety and nutrition among children and parents. First 5, until recently headed at the state level by Rob Reiner, chief proponent of Proposition 82, has helped fund targeted programs for children and families across Sacramento County and across the state using cigarette tax funds. I have recently been honored by being named to serve on a County community advisory board to help keep moving the program moving forward. Meeting with other children’s service providers from around the county helps me see the need and the opportunity Proposition 82 offers.

Senator Perata has been in public service for several decades at the state and local level. He’s made education a stated priority most if not all of those years. I can’t believe he can’t see the great chance we have now to take a big step forward in ensuring quality education preparation for all. Maybe he just needs a little more time.

For more information read a good concise and relatively impartial review of the measure from EdSource.

posted by Terry Preston @ 2:12 PM