Posted on 07/26/2006 4:57:26 PM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin
ROLLING MEADOWS, IL - Gov. Rod Blagojevich signed legislation Tuesday that makes every 3- and 4-year-old in Illinois eligible for state-subsidized preschool.
The catch: There's money for only about 10,000 of the neediest children, at least for now.
Blagojevich activated the $45 million first phase of his "Preschool for All" program surrounded by childhood-development advocates and lawmakers who helped move the measure through the General Assembly.
The measure's proponents say broadening access to preschool will pay dividends in the future.
"It's those precious years between 3 and 5 when kids learn the most," Blagojevich said during a news conference at the John G. Conyers Learning Academy, as small children played nearby. "Why not capture those precious years and give kids an opportunity to learn if parents want them to learn? So that's what this initiative is all about."
Illinois becomes the first state in the nation to open up preschool to potentially all of its 3- and 4-year-olds, the governor's office said. But with only $45 million for the coming school year, priority will be given to "at-risk" and low-income children. Schools and organizations will get grants from the Illinois State Board of Education to provide 21/2 hours of preschool five days a week for each participant.
If Blagojevich, a Democrat, is re-elected in November, he is expected to return to the legislature and seek funding increases so that, by fiscal 2011, there is enough money for all families who wish to enroll. Services cost an average of $5,200 annually in private preschools, the governor's office said.
A Blagojevich aide estimated it will take more than $200 million in new funding over the next four years to accommodate 50,000 additional children who would take advantage of the program at full ramp-up. Some parents probably would not participate or would opt for a private preschool.
"People should not expect the doors to be flung wide open in this first year," said Sean Noble, director of government relations for Voices for Illinois Children, which helped lobby for the preschool expansion. "The dollars and teachers and the space are not all necessarily there overnight to support everyone having access in the school year that starts in September."
Yet Blagojevich said he may ask the legislature for more money as soon as November if demand exceeds the initial round of funding.
"No child will be turned away, no parent will be disappointed," he said. "It will just create a challenge for us to get more funding from the General Assembly, which I'm certain we'll be able to do."
The preschool expansion met with wide acceptance in the Democratic-controlled legislature. Blagojevich's Republican opponent in the Nov. 7 election, Judy Baar Topinka, complained that state dollars are scarce and cited a news report that Illinois had the largest budget deficit - $3 billion - of any state.
"I absolutely support preschool programs for our children," Topinka, the state treasurer, said in a written statement. "Instead of paying for the program honestly, (the governor) has saddled these children with record state debt for them to pay off."
Blagojevich appeared at the Rolling Meadows news conference with child-development expert Berry Brazelton, who endorsed the program. Blagojevich spokeswoman Abby Ottenhoff said his expenses were not paid by the governor's office. Illinois preschool providers already have applied for the additional funding.
There. All fixed! ;)
Here's a nice little tidbit for the "Nanny State Ping List."
I'm just shocked it isn't happening in Wisconsin! ;)
Sounds like Maoist teachers' unions are very,very powerful in Illinois.
Looks like my Sister and Brother-in-law got themselves and their kids out just in time.
Sounds like its voluntary, for now at least. If it stays that way, no big deal.
However, such programs don't always stay voluntary.
I know, I know........redundancy and duplication are the government's specialty.
got that right.
Back in my activist days, I got my hands on a training manual of my states Education Dept. It was pushing then for early access to our children and actually said: "We must get to the children by age 3 before their parents have instilled their values in them" - This was the early 80's
Wake up, parents. Get your children out of the government indoctrination camps. Demand vouchers. Do private school, Christian school, home school. Keep one parent in the home...YES YOU CAN
We/they will still have to fight the indoctrinated socialists from the public schools in the near future, but if we have enough taught independently and taught HOW to think, not WHAT to think, our children and grandchildren still have a shot of living free. (At the same time, we MUST get the FAAIR TAX thru, eliminating the IRS. That will bring the most freedom we have ever seen.)
Beat me to it... Here in the People's Republic of Mexifornia some communist ideologue has already figured out how to fund it - *another* 1.7% income tax on the rich folk (those with income over 400K). Now, I certainly don't make that kind of money, but - the principle of the thing! Let's tax the hard working, profitable, capitalist small bussiness owner so we can indoctrinate his children into the good ways of marxism/socalism on his own expense! Man. You just can't make this stuff up.
Fixed, it's the truth, foster loyalty to the state, not the family...
If I lived there I would not only advise the Gov and Legisture that this is Socialistic BS, but I would also present them with a bill requesting that the two years worth of pre-school that I paid for for my kids should be reimbursed to me. Why should I have to pay five years ago when the service will be provided now FOR FREE??? (/Sarc)
Kindergarden has been around for over 60 years... it still isn't mandatory .. so maybe not so dangerous, particularly as the $$$ situation is so dicey..
"Keep one parent in the home...YES YOU CAN"
Amen to that! In my "next career" I plan on showing people how they can afford to live on one income and raise their own children. It's just my personal crusade. ;)
Of course many "parents" these days don't want to give up the big house, the two or three cars, the fast food, the designer clothes, etc.
Yep. I've got my work cut out for me, LOL!
Goes both ways. I've been charged property tax for many years supporting school systems attended by the children of neighbors far wealthier than myself. Us single persons end up one way or another paying for everybody else's kids..
"Now, I certainly don't make that kind of money, but - the principle of the thing! Let's tax the hard working, profitable, capitalist small business owner so we can indoctrinate his children into the good ways of marxism/socalism on his own expense!"
That's my same thought pattern for the Smoking Bans that hurt local businesses. I don't smoke, but I sure will stand up and fight for the rights of those that do. I'll be the next in line when they decide to outlaw chocolate or liquor, LOL!
Yep, cant have enough businesses these days without Mary Jane sections. :) /s
What's wrong with the kids spending these years getting acquainted with their own mums?
Even later, when I was in grade school, we went home for lunch, and my mum chose the local public school for me as she wanted me to be close to home.
I don't see the point of all of this, seems like an anti-family initative
"I don't see the point of all of this, seems like an anti-family initative."
You've hit the nail on the head, my FRiend. :) That's EXACTLY what this is all about.
Who ya'll gonna vote for in, uhmm, any election?
Get your "ameros" together and head for the hills. I see NO ONE to vote for for anything. Not even dogcatcher.
...welllll...I guess I might vote for a republicat next go'round........NOT!
FMCDH(BITS)
I hope you've made a generous contribution to the party of your choice...........actually it doesn't make any differnce which of the major parties you donate your hard earned "ameros" to. A better choice is, "would you like cancer or a heart attack? Right now there is a special offer on Cancer(R)...although you may choose heart attack(D).
It's entirely up to you, and both parties thank you for all you can contribute.
FMCDH(BITS)
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