Why isn’t it working?
This reading talked about how the laws and structure of the work force isn’t family value friendly. As I read these chapters, I kept thinking our society is based upon families and there are a lot of families but why aren’t these common practices. I’m sure at one point or another even the people who make laws had to take off work because of a sick child, why can’t they see what our work force is missing? It baffles me that we have to advocate so hard for these values when it seems like common knowledge.
I think one reason why low-income families don’t have many rights in the work force is because their jobs can be replaced. I think at a lot of places, especially companies with many workers will always have people willing to work for them. For example, at Wal-mart, they loose money if someone is out taking care of a sick child or if they are away on an extended maternity leave and it is easier to just find someone else willing to take that place. So why would Wal-mart change their policies to becoming more family-friendly when it could risk potentially losing some money?
The first chapter talked about early education being more universal and how early education should be a right and not a privilege. It is true; I do believe that every child should have the opportunity to attend a preschool. Yet I do see why it is hard for legislation to hear our advocates’ voices. Why would they be interested in starting a public preschool when in our state, they can’t even open schools every Friday. When it boils down to it, it’s always about money. If we had public preschools, it would cost a lot of money. There are more students because it seems that the younger children at schools seem to be the bulk of the enrollment. If there were a lot of preschoolers, you would have to hire more teachers because of ratios, which cost money. It is very pricey to have a preschool and I think that is one of the reasons why public preschool is not in the near future.
Hi Sarah,
ReplyDeleteI think you nailed it - it is always about the money (at least in US). This has been something I know I have always been battling from my first job as a kindergarten teacher where they stuffed 32 children in my class to currently at the university level where my courses are on the brink of always being too full. What I have found is that with the goal of money, relationships between student and teacher fall away and are often impossible. This is particularly evident in the kindergarten classrooms I recently visited. Scripted curriculum reigns while relationships are non-existent. Teachers told me there is no time and we have to finish the entire text by the end of the year. It comes down to one goal of efficiency and being efficient is tied to saving money.
So where does that leave ece? Do ec educators sacrifice practice in the name of efficiency and money? Will that be the only means to get early childhood programs for all? Is it better to have inappropriate programs rather than none? How will educator resolve these questions so children's needs will be met?
Jeanne
Aloha Sarah,
ReplyDeleteI agree with the fact that early education should be a right not a privilege. I feel that your point about money may be at the bottom of all my questions, such as if there are so much evidence in the importance of early education why isn't it offered to the public.
Thank you for sharing,
Taira Q.
Hi Sarah,
ReplyDeleteYou make a good point about schools whether it's preschool or elementary, public or private every school cost lots of money. What do you think can be done for the families with children living with low-income? I also agree that ECE should be a right not a privilege.
Hi Sarah,
ReplyDeleteYes, I too think that preschool should be available to all children but a state funded preschool may cause more harm than good. As we all know, DOE's Kindergarten curriculum and pedagogy is a total 180 degree shift from what quality preschool programs provide. If the DOE took over our field, what would that mean as far as how and what would be taught in preschool? The idea is not as far-fetched as we all think. The DOE has brought it up on multiple occasions and once the economy improves we all may have a real fight on our hands.