tooo funny... learning french in the land of Aztlan!!!
Posted on 03/29/2005 6:03:45 PM PST by NormsRevenge
LOS ANGELES (AP) - High-quality, universal preschool for all 4-year-olds in California would generate $2.62 in benefits for every public dollar spent, according to a new economic analysis released Tuesday by the Rand Corp.
The cost-benefits study by the Santa Monica-based think tank estimated average annual costs of $1.7 billion for universal preschool would be offset in the long-term by a reduction in the high school graduation dropout rate, less juvenile crime and a more productive work force.
The David and Lucile Packard Foundation, which advocates voluntary preschool for all 3- and 4-year-olds in California by 2013, funded the study.
"Rand's analysis demonstrates that preschool is definitely a worthwhile investment," said The Boeing Co. Chairman Lew Platt, who also is a trustee for the Packard Foundation.
The investment for each class of 4-year-old preschoolers would be returned by age 14 and returns to the economy would continue to accrue over their adult years, Platt said during a conference call with reporters.
"Preschool returns over 10 percent annually on the funds invested, trouncing the average government bond or savings account and nearly matching the historical returns of the stock market," Platt said.
The Rand study predicted that universal preschool would lead to 13,764 fewer children retained a grade during their K-12 years; 10,010 additional high school graduates; 4,737 fewer cases of child abuse or neglect and 7,329 fewer juvenile arrests.
Elizabeth Chaponot, campus director of Lycee International de Los Angeles, said preschool makes such a profound impact because it gives children the opportunity to learn the culture and language of school.
The 15 bright-eyed students in her school's pre-kindergarten class are not only learning French, but also how to work together, how to master holding a pencil and how to draw the curves and lines needed next year for writing.
"They won't be left behind in kindergarten or first grade when things get more complicated," Chaponot said.
The study was based on the creation of a publicly financed, voluntary preschool program for all 4-year-olds that would feature small classes, qualified teachers and the use of old or new facilities run by public or private providers.
Only two states, Georgia and Oklahoma, currently have voluntary preschool programs available to all 4-year-olds. New York, West Virginia and Florida have committed to universal preschool programs, but they have yet to be either fully funded or implemented.
In California, about 65 percent of 4-year-olds already are in preschool, but enrollment rates and the quality of instruction vary across socio-economic groups.
The Rand study reported that enrollment rates nationwide are lowest for Hispanic children and for children from poor families.
Only 38 percent of 3- to 5-year-olds whose mothers who have less than a high school education enroll in early childhood programs, compared to 70 percent for those whose mothers have at least a college degree.
Risk factors that lead to failure in school are acute in California, where about 18 percent of children under age 5 live with a single parent; 13 percent are Hispanic and living in poverty and nearly half have a foreign-born parent. The Rand study, co-authored by Lynn Karoly and James Bigelow, figured that 25 percent of California's children of preschool are at high risk of failure.
A coalition of groups, spearheaded by Hollywood activist Rob Reiner, are expected to file an initiative in the coming weeks that could let voters decide in June 2006 if universal preschool should be offered statewide.
California voters in 1998 created the First 5 program by approving a 50-cent a pack tax on cigarettes and raising taxes on all other tobacco products to pay for programs for children up to age five. The program, also championed by Reiner, has raised more than $3 billion, but questions have been raised on how the money is being spent.
I've seen the ads for a long time now. The fact is this: Kids who go to pre-school are better educated because their parents care about their education and development. They can also tend to make more money. Those who don't send their kids to preschool are either on welfare, can't afford to send them (single parents), and there is a small percentage who educate their kids at home. The latter do well, the two former, no.
I've heard the exact same thing. My 7 year old daughter is in the 2nd grade and started preschool at just over 2 years old. (It was a Montessori school and she was precocious and bored at home.) She was in preschool for 2 1/2 years before starting school. I honestly don't see how it has made a difference to her learning now.
P.S. As far as preschool kids being less likely to do drugs and go to jail: Welfare parents often do use drugs and the fathers often are in, or have been in jail. Those kids are in a bad home environment, and kids who go to preschool have parents who make enough money to shelter their kids from this environment.
"But when will the children have time to learn English?"
I heard an ad today on the radio, and I nearly slammed on my brakes. It was a job announcement, and it said "applicants must be fluent in English."
IT'S ABOUT TIME!
Oh come on. Welfare parents aren't often on drugs and their fathers aren't often in jail - that is such and stereotype with racist overtones. There are plenty of homes chock full of drugs and alcohol and homes with parents in trouble with the law that aren't dependent on public assistance.
What we can assume is that it's the intervention of the public-funded programs and the schools overall that protect children from at-risk homes despite their socio-economic class.
Actually, young children are much more capable of learning languages than older children or adults, and I think we can assume that the preschools aren't conducted entirely in French. Why not teach the children French as well as English? I had to take Latin when I was 12; I would have probably done better if I had started learning a foreign language earlier. We can't assume that there's some sort of crazy French conspiracy to wipe out the English language, especially sinc fine tuned learning of our common language comes mostly from elective practice such as reading and writing outside of mandatory classwork.
By the way, welcome to Free Republic.
I bet if we started them in school at 6 months we could save even more money.
Hey there are lots of preschools that aren't state run. Bottom line, having parents that care about their children and what they learn is really the answer. Perhaps the children in preschools have parents that care a lot about them. My boy is in preschool and it really helps, it isn't state run.
No. Now they get to be "left behind" in pre-school.
The solution is obvious. Government needs to take control of infants, and schedule limited custody time to parents.
""Actually, young children are much more capable of learning languages than older children or adults,""
Yes, because their ear is still developing. The best way to teach children a language is for the home to be bilingual. A friend of my mother's spoke fluent Spanish, and only spoke Spanish to her children. To her husband of course, she spoke English. And her children were raised fluent in both languages.
Some of us who "care a lot" for our children think they should be home with a loving parent for as long as possible.
I just knew someone would flame me! That's OK. I totally believe in the stay at home thing. I myself have been the stay at home Dad for 1 1/2 years. It is the best place for kids to be. Preschool isn't all day long either, and he gets to be around other kids his age for a while too. Social skills is another benefit.
I just think some of them are surprisingly dumb; how can conservative America get any respect if it's response is always knee-jerk or with racist overtones?
....what is your point? So children who aren't from bilingual homes just shouldn't learn other languages?
""....what is your point? So children who aren't from bilingual homes just shouldn't learn other languages?""
Yes, that's exactly what my point was. No one should learn a language unless they're from a bilingual home. Infact, let us make it against the law! (sarcasm)
I said it was the best way.
Fight starter
tooo funny... learning french in the land of Aztlan!!!
My kids learned Spanish by watching Spanish TV, then talking to some Meixican friends. Worked great.
No, troll...get it right. Isn't it always "racist, bigot, homophobe" from you folks? Also, I think conservative America gets plenty of respect. Don't you remember the '02 and '04 elections?
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