I have chosen to follow the Pre-K Now Organization. It reaches out to teachers, parents, policy makers and the entire community. There is a plethora of resources available for everyone as well as up-to-date news regarding Pre-K programs all across the county. This week I viewed a couple of videos. One was a virtual tour of a Pre-K classroom, and the other was a video covering five children in a high quality program over the course of a year. Everything we have covered in our graduate program so far was mentioned in the videos like involving parents and utilizing age appropriate curriculum. The focus of this organization is to keep everyone informed of how important Pre-K is and relay useful resources for the community.
I subscribed to this organization’s daily newsletter. It has kept me posted of current events around the country that involve Pre-K. One topic discussed this week was about Pre-K in Georgia. The governor was about to change their full-day Pre-K program to part-Day. The teachers, parents and people all across the state spoke up and let their voice be heard. Pre-K is now going to continue to be full-day. On the Yahoo main page this week, there was another article about Texas cutting back education funding. The article mentioned that if this goes through as planned, Pre-K will be completely eliminated from the state. It is very sad to read about two Governors trying to eliminate debt starting with our children's education first.
We have been discussing demographics and diversity this week. In the videos that I watched this week on the Pre-K Now site, each one encouraged diversity in the classroom. There were examples of parents from other cultures volunteering in the classroom, and they showed curriculum that encourage all students to appreciate culture. These were very good examples of implementing demographics and diversity in the classroom. I also noticed that some of the resources available were written in Spanish. This week we have been mentioning how Latinos are about to be the majority soon in our country. The Pre-K Organization is aware of this diversity and has accommodated these people by having resources available in their language.
It was nice to read all the wonderful information you provided us, regarding the Pre-k organization you are following. It is also great to see how you made connections between what you have learned in previous and current courses about demographics and diversity.
ReplyDeleteAs you mention it is sad to see how the government is trying to find obtions to recooperate the economy, and education seems to be the number one obtion. Like always the most affected one are the most vulnerable our children.
Stacey,
ReplyDeleteWe chose the same website and organization. I am a pre-k in Georgia and I love working with and teaching my four years olds. I have done it for 17 years and I wouldn't give it up for anything.
I am thankful that Governor Deal decided to keep our Pre-k full day intead of half day starting next Fall.
I including this website and some inserts in my newletter to my parents last week and they loved it.
Stacey thanks for following what is happening in our country with pre-k programs. I also live in the state of Georgia and I have 2 classes of the lottery pre-k. Needless to say that it has been a apprehensive 2 weeks wondering what will happen to the children of Georgia. Thanks for the information about Texas and I look forward to you sharing more as to what is going on in that state also in regards to pre-k.
ReplyDeleteStacey,
ReplyDeleteIt is sad that when the government needs to trim the budget, that it would even consider touching any portion of the education system. The condition of the educational system within the U.S. will only continue to decline if quality early childhood programs are non existant. It is a shame that policy and budget makers cannot see the tremendous value of such programs.
I look forward to hearing more.
Jennifer Jones
We have the opportunity to choose so many wonderful organizations. As well, you have chosen a very vital program program. Pre-K is very important and plays and enormous role in children lives. Changing a full day, to a half day, can alter many lives. Parents may find many issues finding care for their child who get out early. As well, it changes the lives of the teachers and more importantly it impacts the lives of the children. I am enjoying your blog, you have brought some wonderful information.
ReplyDeleteThat is horrible that at least two governers are starting with eliminating pre-programs. It's at the federal level as well. As early childhood professional it is for sure our jobs to make sure that policy makers really understand the importance of quality education for young children or children in general. It is just scary to think what would happen to this nation if quality care was made available to only a select few. I think that we as a nation would be going backwards.
ReplyDeleteStacey,
ReplyDeleteI am glad you posted about the importance of Pre-K. My husband and I are in a constant debate about how important it is to me that my son goes to Pre-K as soon as he is old enough. I think it is never to soon to get them learning and Pre-K is such a helpful tool for development and preparation for grade school. I currently live in Georgia and did not actually speak out publicly about the half-day proposal but was privately infuriated. If something like that happens again I hope to have the initiative to stand up and speak out!