From: Shellie G
To: Rep. Perry, L.,
Subject: HB96
Date: 2014-02-10T03:13:16Z
Body:
Hello Representative,

Please Vote  NO  on  HB 96  Utah School Readiness Initiative

 

I don’t think the state should establish education programs for preschool age children. Very young children belong home with a parent if at all possible. The Institute of Marriage and Family has shown that early education does not benefit children and they should begin school later rather than earlier.

 

I don’t feel this is a good use of my education tax dollars. 'Head Start' has proved to be ineffective and a waste of money.  How is this pre-school program different?

 

I’m concerned about where this could lead. The Obama administration plan is to start educating children at birth:  “The Obama administration has proposed new investments that will establish a continuum of high-quality early learning for children beginning at birth and continuing to age five.” 

 

I’m concerned that the private investors must be paid back with interest.  It seems that this could become a magnet for those who do not have children’s best interest at heart.

 

Since the private investors must be paid back with interest for each individual child who succeeds, a lot of data will have to be kept and tracked for each child.  Indeed, the bill says that eligible schools will have the capacity to collect longitudinal academic outcome data on children.  I’m concerned that the data collected could become a mechanism for government to control parents vs protect the right of parents to educate and nurture their children as they see fit.


Bottom line is that it is not the government's role to ready children for school.


Thank you for your time,

Shellie Giddings

 

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