How does universal preK help the low income head start kid?

How do you suggest we get a Head Start kid into a non-failing school? Bussing?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'd hold off on the outrage you all seem to have about universal pre-K in MoCo. It's been talked about for years, and will continue to be discussed for years before it can be implemented, especially with the governor we currently have. As far as improving student achievement, though, studies do show that it is a valuable program.

Actually that is not true. There have been studies recently that show programs such as Head Start do not have as much of a positive future effect as they claim.

Not saying we should eliminate Head Start, but your claim that 'studies show it is a valuable program' are not completely true.

No. The studies show that, if you drop a Head Start kid into failing school like the ones that most Head Start kids are zoned for, they will lose the advantages of Head Start by 3rd Grade. However, we don't have to drop kids into failing schools.

Anonymous wrote:They should use any extra money to enhance curreny preK programs for low income students. Add more hours will definitely makes the kids learn better.

What extra money? Lol

At any rate, preK isn't mandatory, which means parents often don't care as much. I have a good friend who teaches for Head Start and she often comments that parents just don't send their kids in (because it's raining, because they had family in town, because the kid overslept, etc)

They should use any extra money to enhance curreny preK programs for low income students. Add more hours will definitely makes the kids learn better.

Anonymous wrote:I'd hold off on the outrage you all seem to have about universal pre-K in MoCo. It's been talked about for years, and will continue to be discussed for years before it can be implemented, especially with the governor we currently have. As far as improving student achievement, though, studies do show that it is a valuable program.

Actually that is not true. There have been studies recently that show programs such as Head Start do not have as much of a positive future effect as they claim.

Not saying we should eliminate Head Start, but your claim that 'studies show it is a valuable program' are not completely true.

I'd hold off on the outrage you all seem to have about universal pre-K in MoCo. It's been talked about for years, and will continue to be discussed for years before it can be implemented, especially with the governor we currently have. As far as improving student achievement, though, studies do show that it is a valuable program.

Anonymous wrote:http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/uploadedFiles/globalContent/badges/UniversalPreK-Meeting2017.pdf

Thank you!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hopefully not. We can't afford it.

Who's "we"?

DP here - We is Montgomery County and MCPS.

Where is the money for Universal preK going to come from? Ask any principal in the county - they'll tell you that they don't have enough money for the staff they need.

Pretty much every school in MCPS is over enrolled and over capacity. Lots of schools already have portables (including my kid's elementary). Where will all these 4 year olds physically go?? Our schools certainly does not have room for a class of 4 year olds. Last year, they had to eliminate our computer room to add in an extra K class. What else could they get rid of to add in a preK class?

Anonymous wrote:Why can't mcps focus on the low income kids? The middle class families already send their kids to preschool. I would like my rax dollar to be used for the kids who really need it. What is the purpose to have the universal preK? Doen't it dilute the funding?

I feel the same.

MCPS doesn't even have enough money for the programs that are already in place. Large class sizes and portables are proof of that. Plus special needs funding is being threatened by this administration. Teachers don't even have enough funding for supplies at our FOCUS school.

This is not the time to push for Universal preK. Address the budget issues that are present now.

Leave it as it is - lower income kids get preK and the rest of us pay for it.

Why can't mcps focus on the low income kids? The middle class families already send their kids to preschool. I would like my rax dollar to be used for the kids who really need it. What is the purpose to have the universal preK? Doen't it dilute the funding?

Anonymous wrote:Hopefully not. We can't afford it.

Who's "we"?

Hopefully not. We can't afford it.

There is a meeting at richard Montgomery HS in August about Universal preK. I saw this on our listserve but didn't get more info.

Anyone have info on this? When does this start?