Money for pre-K is not well allocated
Teachers read a story about groundhogs to their kindergarten class. Credit: Kevin P. Coughlin
Regarding "Early learning leaves lasting impression" [Opinion, Jan. 24], Dana Friedman advocates spending more for prekindergarten programs. Early learning in some cases is a euphemism for day care.
In 15 years, the state's universal prekindergarten grant program has produced no significant progress. In the 10 years that Oklahoma has had a universal prekindergarten program, its fourth-grade reading scores have gone down. This is what can happen if you take money from older students to fund pre-kindergarten.
New York's prekindergarten grant program is funded at $415 million. Children are chosen by random lottery, not financial need, which results in needy children losing out.
There is a commonsense solution. We should prioritize prekindergarten funding based on financial need, like school lunch, and allow parents to retain control over preschool choice by issuing tax credits and vouchers. This would save money, which could be used for older students.
Perry Russell
Farmingville
Editor's note: The writer is the owner of the Abigail Bottoms preschool.