There are a lot of parents out there that could probably benefit from this program. You know, the ones whose parental skills involve beer chugging, chain smoking, mullett growing, and NASCAR sundays too most likely. But alas, they would probably spend their day sniffing the glue.

4K is completely voluntary. If you don't want to send your 4 year old to school you don't have to. I definately agree with some of the other comments, parents do need to work with children at home. You can't expect the schools to teach them everything. I sent my son to 4K last year not to give him a jump start on his education or make him smarter than other kids but to just get him use to other kids his age and other adults. I didn't expect him to come out of it reading, writing and doing arithmetic. My only concern was his shyness. I'm a stay at home mom of 4 and a partime college student and my husband owns his own construction business. Needless to say, other than family gatherings, we don't get out much. 4K really helped my son meet kids his own age. He really seemed to enjoy it. Sounds silly but I actually sat down and discussed it with him before I sent him to 4K. I think it helped my son but every kid is different. I really think that parents need to decide for themselves what is best for their kids. I never went to preschool or a 4K and I did just fine.

By the way, kjbsam makes some really good points. I have been in some of the schools in Janesville, and I have not seen the kids running around or throwing books in classrooms where the teacher doesn't allow it.

Actually, in Japan, children don't start ANY schooling until age 6 (1st grade). Until they enter school, they are encouraged to play. Also, their teachers are paid salaries that rival lawyers, and are given one hour of prep per class. Education is number one priority at home.

Fallen behind other countries? Have you ever lived in another country? Perhaps then you would see how we have "fallen behind".

For those that oppose 4 year old schooling, that is exactly why this country has fallen behind other countries. You guys want to coddle these kids and keep them like mushrooms. Get a grip !!

kjbsam,

I am sorry for your deep hatred for education. I am also sorry that you think artwork that 4 year olds, or work that your children make looks like "crap"... I truly am sorry for that and feel bad for them.

"Not only do kids need to be kids but parents need to be parents. Why should I pay for someone's 4 year old to learn to read, speak english, cut with big kid scissors?? Those are skills that need to be done at home."

I really liked this comment. You are COMPLETELY right... Schools shouldn't have to make up for kids who do not have good support at home (sarcasm) Schools should just assume every kid gets a bed time story or learns proper social skills. From the looks of it, your children will learn great social skills, such as saying swear words and also the art of being narrow minded.

I also loved this quote: "This is an attempt to get more tax dollars into schools and more members into the teachers union." Great idea there... I'm sure districts look around and think of ideas of how to get more people in the teachers union!

From what I have heard and read this program is left open in many districts on an optional basis. If you are not interested, do not send your child. To insult hard working teachers and the children that may need this work is a slap in the face to everyone involved.

sluggo makes a good point I would rather see this money go to DECCA, FFA, and other programs for older students rather then having more grades/teachers/rooms.

Not only do kids need to be kids but parents need to be parents. Why should I pay for someone's 4 year old to learn to read, speak english, cut with big kid scissors?? Those are skills that need to be done at home.

As far as the teacher that cannot control the kids running around turning off lights and throwing books, I could never remember a time like that in school, maybe it's not bad "non 4-K kids" maybe it's just a bad teacher (there are those).

I cannot stand this make everything fair stance that is made having 4K, if you really wanted to make it fair take the kids at birth and start schooling at that point. Now you start the argument of 3K, then 2K because parents are not teaching drinking from a sippy cup at the correct time. So MOMOF3 if you can honestly tell me that you never have taken advantage of something because you were more prepared/smarter then your arguments are nonsense.

What ever happened to kids being allowed to be kids. Let's put yet more pressure on our youth so the violence and suicide rate can go even higher. Perhaps we can just enroll them in kindergarten at birth. That way parents can go to work to get their new cars and huge homes and the taxpayers can pay for day care.

sorry I should give credit to the author of the article that quote is from; Ilene Lelchuk, Chronicle Staff Writer.
Also, I am not suggesting that preschools that are fun, and based on social skills, are not beneficial. Just let kids be kids.

One study was by Fuller and Runberger in California:

"By the end of third grade, according to Rumberger's research, former preschoolers and children who did not attend preschool ended up on nearly equal footing in cognitive and social development, regardless of their mother tongue."
"Fuller and Rumberger studied the ... information on about 22,000 children nationally in the kindergarten class of 1988-89. The data was collected by the federal National Center for Education Statistics through face-to-face assessments with the children as well as interviews with their teachers and written surveys from parents."

I also read some research that showed that by grade two, the only difference between kids who started school earlier than kindergarten was that the ones who started later liked school more. When they looked at the academics scores there was no way to tell who began school earlier. When are we going to let kids be kids? How about using some money in the upper grades (4-8), and bring down class sizes from 28 to something more reasonable? By the way, when I attended college, they never assessed my cutting or coloring skills.

My children are in the Edgerton School district and I love the fact that they have 4K. When my oldest was in Kindergarten it was before they implemented 4K, I went in as a teacher's helper a few times and each time felt so bad for those teachers. They had kids that needed extra attention and the kids who would follow the rules got left to do what they could by themselves. The teacher was too busy trying to keep the "needy" children from throwing books around the room, throwing down chairs, turning on/off lights, ect.. that I felt bad for her. She couldn't even do her job. I feel that by haviing 4k, it gives the district a chance to see the sets of personalities. I don't think it's meant for making all the kids smarter on test scores in 4th/5th grade, it's so that these children who don't speak english at home, who can't afford preschool or supplies at home, who have a learning disability, and so on, get a fair chance, while still allowing all the other children to learn as well. It does help with the balance of children's personalities in classrooms also. Obviously, I love it. My middle child is in 4k right now and she loves it. For our tax dollars- The sooner children learn and gather a good base for their education, the more of an asset they will be to society. It's a lot cheaper for us to pay a little each year to the schools for great education, than it is to pay the legal fees later on.

kjbsam- maybe you need to open up your tunnel vision, you're sounding pretty close minded

I for one am really glad that these 5 year olds do a good job pasting the leaves on the paper. Now the parents won't have to lie and say "it looks good" when it really looks like crap.

Look there is evidence in other states that 4 year old Kindergarten does not have any long lasting benefits, states that have implemented this program scores are all of a sudden 50% better. This is an attempt to get more tax dollars into schools and more members into the teachers union.

The comments by the teachers themselves say so much for example:

“It was very obvious the first week of school” who had been in 4K and who hadn’t, Kuech said.

I am glad that all those tax dollars went into that first week of school so those kids got that 1 week head start. It is also so great that the kids do not need the "loop" scissors. Are you kidding me!!

Now before the pro 4K people start telling me I have no kids that is why I am bitching hold on, I am a father of a 2 and 4 year old, I just see that one extra year of free baby sitting does not out weight the many extra dollars in taxes I will be paying.

One last comment for this article, the comment by McChain about the "kid who did not go to 4K" nice job hen, I am sure you sit all day whispering to the other teachers about how "that one is not as smart, because his/her parents did not care enough to send him/her.

The first time I read this article, I had the same anxiety as when I read the single gender classroom articles two years ago. Like anything else, there are obvious pluses and minuses. Yes, the kids are eager to go to 5K and are set. But, what about the families who feel their children should only learn at school-no educational toys at home, etc. I have a couple of friends who are like that. We cannot expect our teachers to do it all---on their own. Are parents looking at this as a "babysitter"? Is the state looking at this as a way to get more funding? Granted, we would need to hire more teachers--this would definitely help out of work educators. But you have said it wonderfully before, where does it stop? When are kids allowed to be kids? I feel that if 4K passes, it should be left optional. But if that is the case, why not open early childhood enrollment to any child who is 4. This is going to take alot of planning and thought. I wish them alot of luck. With that, Im happy my kids are over the age of four.

Sure, Lets pass 4k so that we can pay more taxes and support more families that can't afford to pay. Also, we can just shove all the older people out of Janesville because they can't afford to live here anymore. HEY, why don't we just start with 3 year olds, maybe we can make genius's out of these small children, or better yet let's start at 2 years old!!!!

While I am all for kids getting a great education, are the benefits lasting? I thought I read a report that by 4th or 5th grade, there was no difference between those that attended 4K and those hadn't. I wish I could find that article again, and if I do, I will post a link.
Also, this starting earlier is a disturbing trend. What is next in 10 years, 3K to give those entering 4K a boost? Kids need time to be kids.

I completely agree. I don't have a great deal of knowledge on 4k but from everything I have read it certainly sounds like a worthwhile program.

I hope Milton gets on board soon so my children can benefit.

FINALLY A GREAT ARTICLE ON THE BENEFITS OF 4K!!! THESE PROGRAMS ARE FANTASTIC AND SHOULD BE AVAILABLE IN EVERY DISTRICT!!! AS A PARENT WITH A FORMER 4K CHILD, THE BENEFITS WERE PHENOMINAL. KUDOS !!!!!