Universal preschool plan fails

http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/local/states/california/the_valley/14759554.htm?source=rss ^ | Dana Hull

[BenLurkin]

California voters soundly rejected Proposition 82 on Tuesday, crushing the hopes of early-childhood education advocates who hoped to make universal preschool public policy in the nation's most populous state.

``Prop. 82 sounded really good, but the more I looked at it, the more I realized it was subject to shenanigans,'' said David Yomtov of San Jose, who said he voted against it. ``Kids should go to preschool, but it didn't sound like Prop. 82 would help the families who most needed the help.''

Proposition 82 enjoyed support in staunchly liberal enclaves like San Francisco, but it was overwhelmingly rejected in the Central Valley, Orange County and other parts of the state.

``We're grateful for this vote of confidence by California voters,'' said Pamela Zell Rigg, president of the California Montessori Council, which campaigned against the measure. ``In the meantime, the state education system can focus on serving K-12 students.''

Proponents argued that making high-quality preschool available to the state's nearly 500,000 4-year-olds would be a huge boost to working families. Many struggle to pay for preschool, which can cost thousands of dollars a year.

Supporters also said investing in preschool would improve K-12 education by bridging the achievement gap separating wealthy and low-income kids.

Proposition 82 was attacked by anti-tax activists and Silicon Valley's vast venture capital community, which donated heavily to the ``No on 82'' campaign.

Another salvo came from private preschools, notably many Montessori schools, over concerns that increased competition from a state-run program would threaten their business and their education philosophies.

The television commercials against Proposition 82 deftly capitalized on those fears, consistently warning it would do little to raise preschool enrollment while creating a ``preschool bureaucracy.'' The ads also urged California to fix K-12 schools before taking on the role of educating even younger children.

[BenLurkin]

"soundly rejected"

Thankfully!

[goldstategop]

Only die hard liberals supported Reiner's plan. Every one else rejected it.

(Denny Crane: "Every one should carry a gun strapped to their waist. We need more - not less guns.")

[E. Pluribus Unum]

Rob "Meathead" Reiner* is deeply saddened.

*Stealing "for the children" since 1971.

[jebeier]

The San Jose Mercury News changed the title on the website.

This is already posted as Voters reject Prop. 82

But, hey, good news deserves to be posted at least twice!

[BenLurkin]

It was anti-family from the start. Kids should be raised by their family - not in pre-schools (and especially not in government pre-schools).

People who say things like "Kids should go to preschool . . . " need to be slapped (figuratively of course) so they can snap back to their senses.

[patton]

What was the "parent tax" mentioned on an earlier thread?

[veronica]

Rob Reiner can afford to pay for all those kids to go to preschool. I suggest he do so if he's so passionate about it. I happen to think kindergarten is soon enough for kids to start school.

[mathprof]

[Ron in Acreage]

The "let's get 'em while their young" initiative was more like it. Anything to get the kids under control of the state.

[BenLurkin]

Well, I did a search but it was a kinda half-a$$ed one I guess.

Agree with you this is great news!

[BenLurkin]

Exactly.

[jebeier]

That's why I posted it with the keyword "MEATHEAD"!

Was there ever a more obvious search parameter?

[Ron in Acreage]

they're, not their, my boo boo.

[LongsforReagan]

If it was defeated in CA, this is a good sign for our country.

[BenLurkin]

Yes, dear.

8^)

[Gay State Conservative]

I hope that in the process of getting this thing passed,I hope that Meathead bankrupted himself...including his oceanfront 5000 sq ft Malibu mansion.

[Brilliant]

Interesting.... Here in Fla., that proposal was soundly approved in the last election.



I guess that even CA voters have more sense than Fla. voters on occasion.

[Doohickey]

What's the deal with sending kids to school earlier and earlier? When I was a kid, kindergarten was optional. My first year of school was first grade. Nowadays, parents I know are sending their kids to preschool because they have this notion that they're supposed to.

[DesScorp]

On NPR this morning, Meathead vowed that he wasn't defeated, and wasn't going away, and was going to keep bringing this issue back until the public gets it right.

Fscking Liberals...