Sent: 10/11/2006 5:02:57 PM
To: prekedstudy@leg.state.vt.us
Subject: Comments from 10/9/06
Dear Rep. Kilmartin and Committee Members:
Thank you for the opportunity to testify on Monday night. My comments follow below.
Sincerely, Julie Sturm
Remarks from Julie Sturm, M.Ed. - Lyndon resident (in the early childhood field for over 30 years), and
Early Childhood Special Educator at The St. Johnsbury School - where we have six sessions of Pre-K in the school, serving 90 Pre-K children and their families
As the Pre-K Study Committee wades through all of the rhetoric, both pro and con, I ask you to please remember the children and their learning needs, especially children in high poverty areas like St. Johnsbury where almost 70% of the children attending the public school are eligible for free and reduced meals. All children deserve access to high quality early education.
I urge the Study Committee to listen to the parents whose children currently attend Pre-K programs all over the state. Listen to what parents say about the quality of their child's educational program and how much it has benefited their children.
I urge the Study Committee to talk to Kindergarten teachers about entering children - those who had quality Pre-K experiences and those who did not. The Kindergarten teachers can tell the difference. As educators, we want all children to meet or exceed standards, and we need to begin early, before age five.
I urge the Study Committee to consider what constitutes a quality education program for young children, over and beyond what constitutes a quality child care program. Consider the training, funding, and pay needed for providers to offer quality education.
Finally, I urge the Study Committee to continue supporting a PUBLIC SYSTEM of early education, with state accountability. All children deserve to be in programs together, learning from one another in an inclusive environment with all of the needed supports we know to be essential for quality preschool education.
Thank you.