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Public
Testimony:
Universal Pre-Kindergarten
Senate
Education Committee |
House
Education Council |
House Pre-K
Committee
December 15,
2004, before the Senate Education Committee. .
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I.
Introduction
Good afternoon Madam Chair. We look forward to working with you as the
chair of the Senate Education Committee. I am Larry Keough, the associate
for education at the Florida Catholic Conference and the legislative
advocate for Catholic schools and early childhood programs.
II. Concerns
In the interest of time, I will only speak to two issues before the
committee. They are early intervention services and additional academic
instruction for students on UPK scholarships.
Early childhood education has undergone a great transformation. Not too
long ago early childhood programs revolved around nursery rhymes, reading
to students, recess, nap time and lunch time.
Now, brain research tells us that many children are ready to learn
academically at age 4. And, there are other children who have language
problems, developmental delays and special needs that will preclude them
from reading at grade level unless they are referred, evaluated and
receive the intervention services they need.
We are concerned that absent these services, program providers will be
reluctant to enroll children with special needs. Because program
performance is gauged on the students’ post test upon completing a year of
Universal Pre-K, there may be a disincentive for providers to enroll
children into their programs.
Secondly, the Florida Catholic Conference is recommending that a full 6.0
hour day be offered for students. In our discussions with educators, we
have been told that a 3.0 hour day is insufficient, especially when
considering that three hours translates to probably little more than 2
hours when considering bathroom breaks, other interruptions and recess.
Continuity is the cornerstone of academic achievement and 3.0 hours per
day simply is insufficient for an acceptable level of repetition.
In addition, we are concerned that parents with means will be able to
supplement the 3.0 hour day for their preschoolers, but other families
will not. The bill language may have an unintended consequence for
providers to enroll children whose parents are able to supplement the UPK
scholarship.
Families that do not have the financial wherewithal to supplement the
scholarship and do not qualify for readiness services could very well slip
through the cracks.
Thank you. At this time I would welcome any questions.
Sen. Klein asked if the FCC would be comfortable with class hours in
addition to 3.0, but less than 6.0.
Answer: There is no figure in that range that we have specified.
Follow up question by Sen. Klein: Would the FCC support 3.0 hours of
actual academic instruction?
Answer: If the choice was 3.0 hour program, less recess, interruptions
etc, compared to three hours of actual academic instruction, then we would
support the latter.
December 13,
2004, before the House Education Council. .
.
I.
Introduction
Good afternoon Mr. Chair and committee members. My name is Larry Keough. I
am the associate for education at the Florida Catholic Conference and the
legislative advocate for Catholic schools and early childhood programs.
The Florida Catholic Conference represents a cluster of schools within
seven dioceses throughout Florida, totaling 244 schools and more than 200
early childhood programs.
We have appreciated the opportunity to work with House Legislative staff
on various UPK related issues and look forward to continued collaboration
between the private sector and public sector that will allow us to build
upon this legislation in the best interest of 4-year-old children across
the state.
II. Concerns
It is our great hope that the UPK program will offer more than three hours
of instruction per day. In our discussions with educators, we have been
told that a 3.0 hour day is insufficient, especially when considering that
the three hours translates to probably little more than 2 hours when
considering bathroom breaks, other interruptions and recess.
In addition, we are concerned that parents with means will be able to
supplement the 3.0 hour day for their preschoolers, but other families
will not. The bill language may have an unintended consequence for
providers to enroll children whose parents are able to supplement the UPK
scholarship.
Families that do not have the financial wherewithal to supplement the
scholarship and do not qualify for readiness services could very well slip
through the cracks.
Thank you. At this time, I would welcome any questions.
Rep. Joe Pickens offered the following question:
Can you point to anywhere in the UPK legislation that specifies 3.0 hours
of class time each day.
Answer – There is not a reference to a 3.0 hour day. However, the bill
caps class instruction well short of a full day program. The Florida
Catholic Conference is recommending that a full-day 6.0 program is in the
best interest of 4-year-old children who participate in the Universal
Pre-K program.
(Note – One of the options for providers is to offer a 540 hours program
during the 180 day school year. The 3.0 hours of class time is computed by
dividing 180 days into 540 instructional hours. A provider could offer
more hours per day, but less day per year.)
December 13,
2004, before the House Pre-K Committee. .
.
I.
Introduction
Good afternoon Mr. Chair and committee members. My name is Larry Keough. I
am the associate for education at the Florida Catholic Conference and the
legislative advocate for Catholic schools and early childhood programs.
We have appreciated the opportunity to work with House Legislative staff
on our core issue, which is accreditation. Although the Florida Catholic
Conference is advocating for national accreditation and Gold Seal
Designation for Universal Pre-K providers, we understand the value of
other options for those who could seek in -state accreditation and/or
state licensure.
II. Concerns
We understand and can appreciate that there is a fine line between
accountability that ensures that children on UPK scholarships are off to a
good start in life educationally and on track to read by third grade, yet
framing the bill language for private sector providers to participate such
that there will be available seats for the 150,00 to 200,000 4-year-olds
projected to enroll in the program.
With that stated, we believe that quality should not be sacrificed. Early
childhood education has undergone a great transformation. Many early
childhood programs were established as feeders for kindergarten and
elementary schools. At that time, early childhood programs consisted of
reading to students, reciting nursery rhymes, playtime, lunch time and
nap.
Now, brain research tells us that many children are ready to learn
academically at age 4. And, there are other children who have language
problems, developmental delays and special needs that will preclude them
fro reading at grade level unless they are referred, evaluated and receive
the intervention services they need.
When this does not occur, many of them become frustrated academically and
are socially promoted until third grade when there is realization that
they are not phonemically aware and the learning gap begins to widen.
In order to head off this situation, intervention strategies need to be
undertaken much earlier in a child’s life.
III. Funding
We are concerned that the bill may be framed in such a way to fund the
program at a lesser amount. If that were to occur, the quality of pre-k
education would be sacrificed by not providing more than 3 hours of
instruction and not providing early intervention services.
In many respects, the state and the Legislature are in a difficult
position. On one hand, some program providers may not participate because
they deem that the UPK program is being framed in such a way to fund it at
a lesser amount, and others may be comfortable with a lower level of
funding because they assume with lower funding is less accountability in
the short term.
Conclusion
Thank you very much. At this time, I would welcome any questions.
For more information, please contact Larry Keough at 850-222-3803, or at
lkeough@flacathconf.org.
Florida Catholic Conference
201 W. Park
Avenue
* Tallahassee, FL * 32301-7715
Phone (850) 222-3803 * Fax (850) 681-9548
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