Preschool Education News

Welcome to Designed Instruction's news strand on preschool education! We've seen more preschool changes—and more talk of changes—than in many years past. The article links provided will help you to keep track of some of these changes as the attention to quality preschool education continues to grow. Postings are in chronological order, starting with the most recent.

British teacher plans to start entirely outdoors kindergarten
The children attending will be given their lessons outdoors—no matter what the weather looks like. And rather than regular kindergarten students, who might study shapes or colors, these students will learn the difference between an oak and elm tree, and what plants are poisonous, among other things... The Guardian (London) (10/30/06)

Mandatory full-day kindergarten in Maryland
Maryland has passed two new laws that require all kindergarten classes in the state to be full-day by 2007. However, we have yet to see if funding will be a problem... The Washington Times (10/30/06)

Florida PK: Hero to Zero
When it was first approved in 2002, the Florida pre-k system was hailed as a model for other states. Now, however, preschool advocates are naming Florida's program as the primary example of what not to do... Petersburg Times (Fla.) (10/25/06)

Arizona progresses toward goal of full-day kindergarten
The Arizona Legislature agrees to allocate $160 million toward full-day kindergarten over the next two years, allowing the state to phase in its full-day kindergarten program in four years, a year ahead of schedule... Arizona Republic (Phoenix) (6/19/06)

Redshirting your children—is it for you or for them?
You've doubtless seen a number of other parents who hold their child out of kindergarten for a year to give them a chance to mature. Are whatever advantages there may be, if any, shortlived? Southern Illinoisan (Carbondale, Herrin, Murphysboro)/Knight Ridder (3/16/06)

Statewide funding for at least half-day kindergarten debated in New Hampshire
New Hampshire stands alone as the only U.S. state that does not provide kindergarten for all its children. Read about the bill being considered by the state legislature to guarantee that in 2007 all districts will receive startup funding, including construction costs, for at least half-day programs. The question may be "What then?" The Boston Globe (1/19/06)

Is it bright?
Should 5-year-olds be writing descriptive sentences and drawing bar graphs? How about discussing Michelangelo's methods? Many say "no," but according to those running Duke University's "Bright IDEAS" program, sure thing... The Christian Science Monitor (12/8/05)

2005 shows largest nationwide increase in five years
Count'em -- twenty-six states increased preschool spending this legislative year by $600 million. The figure represents the largest single-year increase in five years. The result? Compared to 2004, over 180,000 additional children will attend early-education classes in 2005. Where does it now stand? Thirty-nine states offer either statewide preschool or at least various preschool programs for children in need... Stateline.org (11/16/05)

U.K. leads world in preschool spending
According to a report from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, the U.K. funding of preschool education is not just higher, but twice that of the average industrialized nation... BBC (9/13/05)

U.K. leads world in preschool spending
According to a report from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, the U.K. funding of preschool education is not just higher, but twice that of the average industrialized nation... BBC (9/13/05)

Should a state have to support preschool for its children?
Some claim "yes" and some "no" in Wyoming. The debate heads to district court where arguments will be heard, especially as they apply to at-risk children. Read on... Billings Gazette (9/12/05)

From the same department that stresses the need for causal rather than correlational data...
It's who we are more than what we do. According to the U.S. Education Department's Early Childhood Longitudinal Study, student achievement is higher when their parents are educated and well off than when they read and interact with their children... USA Today (5/3/05)

Play beats lessons?
The U.K. National Foundation for Educational Research claims less still and listening time and more active play equals more learning... BBC (4/18/05)

Tutoring your preschooler
Parents enrolling their children hope to help them get ahead on early academic requirements, while others say it does not help in the long run and could cause problems with children's self esteem... The Christian Science Monitor (4/5/05)

Would creating universal preschool in California be worth it?
Read a cost-benefit analysis from the RAND Corporation... Rand Press Release (Santa Monica, California) (3/30/05)

Not enough activity
A large study conducted by researchers at the University of South Carolina-Columbia shows that most children ages 3-5 get less than half the exercise they need at their preschool... The Arizona Republic (Phoenix)/USA Today (11-1-04)

Massachusetts House makes preschool promise: Free for low-income families
A unanimous (153 to 0) budget amendment paves the way for free preschool for thousands of Massachusetts three- and four-year-olds. Hailed as historic, the amendment comes just three days after a superior court judge recommends that the state provide free preschool to children from low-income families in order to bridge inequities between rich and poor school systems... The Boston Globe (Boston) (4-30-04)

Learning trend: Kindergarten becomes an all-day affair
As the importance of the early years of a child's learning experience becomes more recognized, schools and districts across the U.S. begin to consider the benefits of full-day kindergarten... The Christian Science Monitor (Boston) (1-29-04)

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