New York Times on the miracles of Universal Pre-K in DC

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Don't worry- I get it. I don't agree with it. I have a child who is eligible for the benefit. Just give me what the government would have paid for him. It is simple and can be done- it is just the stupid belief that the DC government can do a better job of raising my kid than I can.

I drive very little. Yet I pay taxes for roads. I'd like most of that money back, please, thank you. I have other things I'd like to spend it on.

Yet you do use roads even though you don't drive- right? Or do you stay inside your house and have nothing delivered to your house using roads? Not the same argument at all.

[Anonymous]

Babies need their mothers, right? It's that simple. If you agree then keep your eyes on the prize. Free daycare with strangers for a 3, 6, 12 month old baby is NOT the prize. I look at my six week old DS and think how in the world could I put him in daycare at this age?! Jesus H Christ, the kid cries every hour for more food and to be held. Strangers are not going to give him the nurturing his mom can and will.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am PP who would like to use her education funds as I see fit. Just give me a tax credit for what would have been spent on my DS for PK3 to help me work less and stay home with him instead of sending him to a school that can't handle the kids there now. How is that taking away from the greater good? I pay way more in-- so keep the rest and just give me what would have been spent on him so I can have a choice in how he is cared for.

You just don't get it. Taxes are not user fees. There isn't enough money in the pot if only those who use the service pay for it (at current tax rates). If everybody in the community chips in, costs for the individual who actually uses the service are lower. That is the idea behind any public funding. It is fair because you have the OPTION of using the service. You don't want Pre-K to get public funding, and you are entitled to that position, but you need to be aware that that's what you are asking when you want to get a "tax break" for your son's unused spot.

Actually, (and I'm someone who has no problem paying property taxes, which fund schools) OP does not necessarily have the option of using the service, unless she is lucky enough to lottery in. I'm not aware of many schools who have openings for PS3 or PK4 and you aren't guaranteed a spot, even at your in-bounds school, until Kindergarten.

I don't think tax vouchers are a suitable answer (I first raised them earlier, facetiously) but I don't like universal pre-K. Pre-K for at risk kids, sure. But then you start allowing all income levels, on the theory that a rising tide lifts all boats and the smarter kids and involved parents will help the others without parental input, and you start to create a one-size-fits all option that families are expected to take up. Parents like the PP, who do not want the services, can't find something part time. There are even some proponents of mandatory preschool. Imagine that! You say "never" but remember that up until recently, K was part time, optional, and considered preparation for first grade. Now, that's what we see Pre-K as, and already, PS3 attendance of some kind is all but expected. Woe be the kid who enters PK4 with no prior school experience - he / she is going to have a tough time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think universal preschool is great, but I think the preschools should be based on research about what is the best kind of preschool for three and four year olds. (Lots of outside time each day in all kinds of weather, lots of art, lots of sensory activities, all learning through play in a rich language environment.

I also don't think universal preschools should be located at elementary schools. They should be able to have large fenced play areas outdoors with age-appropriate equipment and toys (riding cars, scooters, trikes, small monkey bars, etc) and large indoors spaces for rotating out imaginative play areas, cooking, science, music etc. And 20 3 or 4 year olds is way too many for the teacher to be able to give each child attention, help navigate disputes, etc. Private preschools are usually 10 or 12 per class.

Admittedly I am not familiar with every single program in DC, but you've described the two charter preschools my kids have attended (except the riding toys). Totally play based with dramatic play and other centers and art integration. Focus on socio-emotional development as well as pre-literacy and math skills. Each school has 3 teachers for 20 students.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Don't worry- I get it. I don't agree with it. I have a child who is eligible for the benefit. Just give me what the government would have paid for him. It is simple and can be done- it is just the stupid belief that the DC government can do a better job of raising my kid than I can.

I drive very little. Yet I pay taxes for roads. I'd like most of that money back, please, thank you. I have other things I'd like to spend it on.

Yet you do use roads even though you don't drive- right? Or do you stay inside your house and have nothing delivered to your house using roads? Not the same argument at all.

Yet you depend on people's ability to read even though you don't send your kid to public pre-K, right? Or do you live self-sufficiently on an independent island?

Roads benefit society (including you and me). Public schools benefit society (including you and me). Therefore, society (including you and me) pays for roads and public schools, even if I don't personally use the roads and your kid doesn't personally use the public schools.

[Anonymous]

I do not use parks and recreation facilities, senior wellness centers, the WIC program, or HIV services in DC. However, I do not get a tax credit for not using them. City services are not a la carte.

If you do not like the city funding universal PS and PK, by all means write to your councilmember and ask them to defund the program.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Don't worry- I get it. I don't agree with it. I have a child who is eligible for the benefit. Just give me what the government would have paid for him. It is simple and can be done- it is just the stupid belief that the DC government can do a better job of raising my kid than I can.

Completely! I mean, I don't drive or metro (I walk to work), so I think I shouldn't have to pay into these "roads" and things that all you people are using. If I'm not using it, why should I have to pay for it? Right?

[Anonymous]

Wait just a second. I never said that I wanted my money back from public school funding. I will be paying into funding public schools until the day I die. What I said was that for two years of pre-school, until kindergarten is compulsory, I would like the ability to CHOOSE the option of care for my toddler and for that money to be a credit to me so that maybe- instead of instutionalizing young children we can promote healthier families by enabling them to work less and care for the needs of their small children more.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:


Actually, (and I'm someone who has no problem paying property taxes, which fund schools) OP does not necessarily have the option of using the service, unless she is lucky enough to lottery in. I'm not aware of many schools who have openings for PS3 or PK4 and you aren't guaranteed a spot, even at your in-bounds school, until Kindergarten.

The point of Universal Pre K 3 in DC is that DCPS provides a spot for EVERY child whose parent wants the child to attend preK 3 or pre K 4. It may not be in their IB school, but there is a spot somewhere. Charter schools provide many of these spots.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Truthfully I wish they got rid of welfare and just provide free childcare. I think it would allow/force so many more people to be working. I don't know how the poor in this area afford $1500-2000 a month in childcare unless they just don't work.

I think this is a good idea--I wonder if its been tried anywhere? At least very poor children would be getting nutritious meals and have a safe place to be while their parents worked.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Don't worry- I get it. I don't agree with it. I have a child who is eligible for the benefit. Just give me what the government would have paid for him. It is simple and can be done- it is just the stupid belief that the DC government can do a better job of raising my kid than I can.

I drive very little. Yet I pay taxes for roads. I'd like most of that money back, please, thank you. I have other things I'd like to spend it on.

Yet you do use roads even though you don't drive- right? Or do you stay inside your house and have nothing delivered to your house using roads? Not the same argument at all.

Well, then I should at least get a discount! Seriously, your argument doesn't change the fact that the pay-taxes-based-on-use argument completely misses the point.

[Anonymous]

I want to know which charters had the progressive/outdoorsy preschools! Spill, pp!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:


Actually, (and I'm someone who has no problem paying property taxes, which fund schools) OP does not necessarily have the option of using the service, unless she is lucky enough to lottery in. I'm not aware of many schools who have openings for PS3 or PK4 and you aren't guaranteed a spot, even at your in-bounds school, until Kindergarten.

The point of Universal Pre K 3 in DC is that DCPS provides a spot for EVERY child whose parent wants the child to attend preK 3 or pre K 4. It may not be in their IB school, but there is a spot somewhere. Charter schools provide many of these spots.

No, no there is NOT. Please, look this information up. There are more children - many more children - than there are spots. It is NOT universal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:


Actually, (and I'm someone who has no problem paying property taxes, which fund schools) OP does not necessarily have the option of using the service, unless she is lucky enough to lottery in. I'm not aware of many schools who have openings for PS3 or PK4 and you aren't guaranteed a spot, even at your in-bounds school, until Kindergarten.

The point of Universal Pre K 3 in DC is that DCPS provides a spot for EVERY child whose parent wants the child to attend preK 3 or pre K 4. It may not be in their IB school, but there is a spot somewhere. Charter schools provide many of these spots.

No, no there is NOT. Please, look this information up. There are more children - many more children - than there are spots. It is NOT universal.

That's not true. There are plenty of spots, just maybe not in schools that you are interested in.

[Anonymous]

Available seats, DCPS only. There are also charter schools with seats available.

http://dcps.dc.gov/DCPS/Learn+About+Schools/Prepare+to+Enroll/View+Available+Seats/View+Available+Preschool+and+Pre-k+Seats