Why doesn't Fcps have pk3?

[Anonymous]

Title says it all. Why isn't this available, but it's available in D.C.?

[Anonymous]

From what I gather, Its because most FCPS residents don't *need* free preschool. Preschool is important to the success of children in school, but it is even more important to lower income families. Being one of the most wealthy counties in the nation, Fairfax County residents can theoretically afford to pay for private preschool. DC residents can not.

[Anonymous]

There's Head Start and special ed preK in FCPS. Is that what you mean?

[Anonymous]

FCPS does have a form of pk3 -

https://www.fcps.edu/registration/early-childhood-prek/fecep-head-start-application

[Anonymous]

DC's (relatively) universal preschool program is unusual.

There are lots of private preschool options in Fairfax, ranging from cheap to expensive. I've paid $100/month for preschool and over $500/month. Both of those were very good programs.

[Anonymous]

Thanks, I was wondering about universal pk3 (or pk4) in fcps. It sounds like it has not been a priority.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks, I was wondering about universal pk3 (or pk4) in fcps. It sounds like it has not been a priority.

I doubt it will ever be a priority.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Title says it all. Why isn't this available, but it's available in D.C.?

Because DC and Fairfax choose to spend their tax dollars differently, based on what they see as the priorities for the people in their area.

[Anonymous]

We don't need it.

We are educated and very affluent overall, with families that value education and high achievement by our students.

Even if you look at our "bad" schools, almost all of them are higher than the national average.

It would be a huge waste of money in our area. Kids with involved parents are better off at that age at home with a dedicated parent or caregiver, involved in fun, non academic enrichment, and in play based environments like play based preschools.

DC shows a need for extra guidance at the preschool level because of its large segment of uneducated, lower income families and its low student achievement.

[Anonymous]

^^Sigh. I grew up in Fairfax County. It's huge. There are many poor and low-income families. Pretty blatantly stupid response.

[Anonymous]

We don't even have money for grades K-12. Please get on board with increases in taxes and make sure the rest of the county is on board before pushing any new agenda items.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We don't even have money for grades K-12. Please get on board with increases in taxes and make sure the rest of the county is on board before pushing any new agenda items.

+1000

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We don't need it.

We are educated and very affluent overall, with families that value education and high achievement by our students.

Even if you look at our "bad" schools, almost all of them are higher than the national average.

It would be a huge waste of money in our area. Kids with involved parents are better off at that age at home with a dedicated parent or caregiver, involved in fun, non academic enrichment, and in play based environments like play based preschools.

DC shows a need for extra guidance at the preschool level because of its large segment of uneducated, lower income families and its low student achievement.

That is far from true.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:^^Sigh. I grew up in Fairfax County. It's huge. There are many poor and low-income families. Pretty blatantly stupid response.

Those families have head start. There are too many high income families in Fairfax to justify universal free pre-k that includes those families, especially with the budget issues we are facing. That's what the pp was talking about.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^^Sigh. I grew up in Fairfax County. It's huge. There are many poor and low-income families. Pretty blatantly stupid response.

Those families have head start. There are too many high income families in Fairfax to justify universal free pre-k that includes those families, especially with the budget issues we are facing. That's what the pp was talking about.

Head Start in Fairfax is need first. There are not enough spots for all of the eligible children.