used to believe that children were the future. If we simply taught them well, they would lead the way. What happens when states decide that perhaps these kids are not the future and begin to cut budgets on pre-kindergarten programs? Well, bring on the noise and bring on the funk, folks, because research shows that plasticity in the brain is at its peak before the age of 4. This means that, while plasticity still happens in the brain (there is a blast of plasticity in the teen brain, by the way), it takes a lot more work after age 4. Children are sponges. But the sponges change over time.
My favorite person to quote, Jonah Lehrer, talks about making an investment in the developing brain here: Investing in the Developing Brain
Also, I encourage you to check out this information from The Pew Center On the States. Pay special attention to the parts about Texas. And send a special shout out to Governor Perry for doing another stand up job on cutting the proposed funding increase for Pre-K programs in our state.
In light of the state’s nearly 8 percent budget shortfall,
however, the proposed increase was cut significantly
from $300 million to $25 million for the FY10-FY11
biennium. Rep. Patrick explained the legislature’s
commitment to higher quality and greater access this
way: “We are investing in the future of this state.
Investing in pre-k has a greater return than any of
the other educational investments we are making.”10
Much to the disappointment of hardworking lawmakers,
parents and advocates, the governor vetoed the quality improvement
bill.11 Though he kept the $25 million
increase for the grant program, the governor’s decision
contrasted with the spirit of bipartisan cooperation
that surrounded the legislation and jettisoned important
quality standards that research shows are necessary to
generate significant fiscal and educational benefits.
May 3, 2010
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