| Parent Education MUST be made the HIGHEST priority in Adult Education. |
5/23/03 1:14 PM |
| Author:
John Mercer
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Like Doug Spangler, I was shocked to not see parent education on your list of funding priorities!
The California Master Plan for Education, "...seeks to build a coherent education system from preschool to postsecondary education with student success as its primary objective." according to the AB-56 fact sheet.
The single most important job, regardless of the language spoken, is parenting! I have extensive computer skills; and I, like many of my colleges, am unemployed. These children are our future.
I live in an area that basically has two national languages. Near my home more signs are written in Spanish than English. Today, in one of the parenting classes, we sang the days of the week in both English and Spanish. Some parents in our class still speak their native languages almost exclusively; the little ones speak English in the class.
Vocational skills have traditionally been part of the Community College role. That is where I would expect computer classes, and I would find the Spanish classes I need to become more gainfully employed. Adult Ed needs to focus on the broadest gains available--"The Most Bang for the Buck!"
The Parenting classes' impact upon the preschooler is phenomenal! My--just turned--four year old knows all of his letters by recognition, can count to thirty-nine (he confuses forty and fourteen), and he is using Spanish daily.
The program in Chula Vista is working, and it is working extremely well! I do not know Doug Spangler's familiarity with [funding] 'collaboration and partnerships', but I know a program that works!
I also know, when money is tight, you need to play to your strengths! AB 56 proposes do the following:
Phase in the provision of opportunities for the parents of all 3- and 4-year old children to enroll their children in a formal preschool setting, beginning in communities with low performing schools and gradually expanding until all communities have preschool opportunities available.
Funding requirements are also mentioned specifically for, "Altering programs and practices if they do not benefit children."
FUND WHAT IS ALREADY WORKING! Why reinvent the wheel? The programs, like the one in Chula Vista, that are working well should be fully funded first. Then they can be modeled in the areas most needed. Keep and use the formula that works instead of starting over and throwing money iteratively at 'Altering programs and practices.'
Posted as a reply to:
Parent Education should be a high priority for Adult Education by Charles Ratliff 
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