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Preschool on the radar in South
Dakota
“The earlier the seed is planted and
watered, the faster and larger it grows.” Those are the words of
Pulitzer prize-winning economist James J. Heckman. In his paper,
“Investing in Disadvantaged Young Children is an Economically
Efficient Policy,” Heckman builds the case for societies to
invest in preschool programs.
In the first of 13 points advocating for
preschool, Heckman refers to the correlation between early
learning and skill development, and productivity later in life.
“It’s a concept that most educators
understand, because they’ve seen it in action,” said Deb
Barnett, assistant secretary for the South Dakota Department of
Education. “The better equipped a student is at a young age, the
better off he will be down the road. But, the converse is true,
too. The earlier a student falls behind, the harder it is for
him to catch up.”
Research regarding early education clearly
demonstrates benefits, particularly for disadvantaged children.
Heckman points to the economic benefits for communities, too,
including:
Currently, South Dakota is one of 12 states
that do not have a state-supported preschool program. The 2010
Education Initiative calls for expanding access to quality
preschool for 4-year-olds. “The preschool piece is part of a
larger plan to ensure that children from age 3 to grade three
get the best start possible in life,” Barnett said.
Under South Dakota’s plan, preschool would
be a blended program – combining the resources of federal
programs, the state, local school districts, and even
private-sector partners. Barnett is heading up a work group of
early learning practitioners and experts, which is developing
accreditation and certification standards for preschool in South
Dakota.
Any preschool, public or private,
would be eligible to seek accreditation under the plan. Public
school districts could subcontract with accredited private
preschools.
Funding would run through the state aid formula. School
districts would be required to work with any accredited
preschool within their boundaries.
Under the plan, qualified 4-year-olds would
have access to quality preschool programs. Eligibility would be
determined by income guidelines. Students who meet the guidelines, but are
not covered by federal programs such as Head Start and Special
Education, would be eligible for state funds.
A review of preschool programs done by the
National Institute for Early Education Research in 2004 found
that states vary widely in terms of dollars invested in
preschool. The range went from less than $1,000 per student at
the low end to more than $8,000 at the high end. The average
state spending per child was $3,500.
“We believe that preschool is a wise long-term investment,”
Barnett said, “and we are looking to develop a blended preschool
model that fits South Dakota’s specific needs and values.”
For more information about the 2010
Education Initiative’s preschool program, visit
www.2010education.com/Preschool.htm.
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