[Eska]

What do you think poor parenting skills produce????

Today they expect the teachers to instill proper behavior, along with everything else.

Believe it or not, pre-school programs do work. Kids learn their numbers, colors, how to work, ect,ect, and how to behave/function in a socially acceptable manner.

I have seen way too many dysfunctional kids crawl under their desk and cry for mommy, urinate in class, refuse to behave, and just haven't learned how to function around other kids. They need to learn this when they are 4 & 5 not in 3rd grade. We all did and before we entered 1st grade. IT all starts in the home, you know.

[Icthus]

"...behave/function in a socially acceptable manner..."

You said it in a nutshell. This is where children learn to function in a social setting. Some are easily acclimated, others struggle due to a variety of reasons (i.e., only child, grew up with a stay at home Mom, etc.) Although I didn't finish reading the article, much of it may depend on the type of Pre-K the kids are attending. Some are far more strict than others. One of the Pre-K programs at a local Christian School here requires the kids be potty-trained by 2 years old, if not, then they must find another pre-school to attend. This is done to allow the teacher to focus her attention on "teaching" rather than changing diapers all day long.