BLITZ KRIEG PUBLISHING
Will Universal Preschool Become the Law?
By Donna Gundle-Krieg February 11, 2009
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Under a proposed new law, all children age three and above will have access to federal early education programs. This bill fits right in with the Obama-Biden Education Agenda recently posted on the White House website.
The Universal Prekindergarten Act, H.R. 555, would create a voluntary government educational program for children ages three to six.
My personal opinion is that this type of program may benefit children from impoverished areas, who do not receive any stimulation in their homes. However, my fear is that parents will continue to turn more and more of their responsibilities over to the government, expecting teachers and other government officials to raise their children.
It just seems that our country is going more and more towards the government taking care of us from “cradle to grave.”
I also continue to wonder where all of the money for these new government educational programs comes from. We are spending far too much on our public schools. Despite dedicated teachers and employees, the United States educational system produces dismal results compared to the taxpayer dollars spent.
H.R. 555 was introduced in January and referred to the Senate Committee on Finance. The sponsor is Representatives Dennis J. Kucinich and cosponsors are representatives Maurice D. Hinchey, James P. McGovern, Lynn C. Rep Woolsey.
See below for more information about the proposed bill.
PROPOSED BILL
The proposed bill would consist of the following, according to the Home School Legal Defense Association:
A full-day of academia for 3-year olds: In Section 2 of H.R. 555, Congress declares its intention to influence early child development for children as young as 3 years old. In fact, just like a highschoolers, children enrolled would be expected to participate for a full day and a full-calendar year.
Going far beyond education: H.R. 555 is not limited to educational needs of young children, but expands to “social, emotional, and physical development”—needs that the parents are best qualified to meet, especially for children at such an early age.
Although the bill allows for “parental involvement,” it makes no provision for parental oversight or authority over their young children’s upbringing throughout this program, which will last the majority of hours in the day, and the majority of days in the year.
Conclusion: H.R. 555 affronts the need that children have for mothers and fathers to raise and care for them in their early states of development. In the end, “parental involvement” is no substitute for real parenting.
Stories by Donna Gundle-Krieg:
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