What role should our government play in the financial support of pre-kindergarten programs?
By State Sen. Dennis Kruse (R-Auburn)
Dennis Kruse
Currently, Indiana and the federal government spend $277 million a year on early childhood development programs in our state, including the Child Care Development Fund and Head Start. Additionally, during the 2013 legislative session, lawmakers included $4 million in the budget for a preschool pilot program that provides money to certain preschools if they receive matching grants from a non-government entity.
This year, a new preschool proposal is making its way through the General Assembly. House Bill 1004 would establish a pilot program in up to five counties to provide scholarships for low-income children to attend preschool. The bill passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 87-9 and now moves to the Senate for further consideration.
The goal of HB 1004 is to help low-income children attend preschool. Some studies indicate these children do statistically worse in school due to their limited means. This scholarship is aimed at helping students overcome this disadvantage by giving them a jump start in their education. The concept is worthy, but we have to find a way to fund these programs.
The bill is estimated to cost up to $30 million per year depending on how many children sign up.
Some of my Senate colleagues and I are hesitant to commit significant new dollars to pre-kindergarten programs in a non-budget year, especially since Indiana is still analyzing the impact of existing programs.
As the proposal comes over to the Senate, these are the principles I believe any new program must follow:
· It must be voluntary to maximize family choice, so parents can decide on the best learning environment for their kids.
· The cost of the program must not undermine Indiana’s track record of balanced budgets and fiscal responsibility.
This issue calls for extensive public input and over the years, we have seen many people and organizations voice their opinions on both sides of the debate.
Those in favor argue that children who attend quality preschool programs are more successful in their school careers than students who don’t. Those against suggest the benefits aren’t conclusive or that the advantages for students who attended preschool may lessen as they progress through school.
In my opinion, early childhood education begins at home. A child learns more between birth and age two than during any other period of life, which makes parents or guardians among the most important educators.
As HB 1004 moves through the legislative process, please contact my office if you have any comments or questions.
What do you think?
