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Blagojevich Signs Preschool Funding Bill
Jun 30, 2008 | 3:30 PM
Category: Political
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EVANSTON, Ill. (AP) -- Governor Rod Blagojevich has signed an early childhood learning bill that will continue funding preschools across Illinois.

The governor was surrounded by more than a dozen preschool aged children when he signed the measure Monday.

He says he was moved when he attended his own child's preschool graduation and wants other children to have a similar opportunity to begin early learning.

The law includes $380 million in funding for the next fiscal year.

Blagojevich says attending preschool helps children narrow the achievement gaps, promotes learning in later school years and helps prevent anti-social behavior.

The chairman of the Illinois State Board of Education says he hopes the funding will help the state remain a national leader in preschool education.

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Do/did your children attend preschool?  Did you attend preschool?

Should we extend public education to include younger children?

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Member Comments Total Comments: 12
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Speedy62269 read my blog
Jun 30, 2008 | 10:13 PM

The only problem I have with Gov Rod allocating money for preschools is ... he announced last week that $1.5 billion needs slashed from the budget.

It just doesn't make sense to add more expenditures only days after you cry that we're in the red - big time. I actually created a blog on this issue.

http://community.myfoxstl.com/blogs/Speedy62269/2008/06
/26/Illinois_Budget_ProblemsHELP#comments
Chickenkiller read my blog
Jun 30, 2008 | 10:26 PM

You just have to answer the question, "Where's the money going to come from?"
Speedy62269 read my blog
Jun 30, 2008 | 10:34 PM

Hey Chicken...being that I am not a tax and spend politician they need to seriously make cuts in order to even attempt the "sale" of preschool funding.

On my blog, someone mentioned attrition and that's the first step - reducing the fat. Most fat nowadays is in personnel costs and of course states don't have CEO pay levels but many are at pretty decent salaries and doing little.

Reduce the fat then create a surplus - let the preschool program wait until FY2010. Remember, not all attend preschool (probably low numbers) while K-12 is attended by most.

As for the true answer to where the money will come from - hell if I know! LOL.
the4thstooge read my blog
Jul 1, 2008 | 7:30 AM

i am all for the pre school funding,the earlier the better to start teaching kids,hell who knows maybe they will be a lot smarter than the people running the country now.if they are going to throw money around,at least it's for the kids and their future
AnswerMan read my blog
Jul 1, 2008 | 1:26 PM

Preschool funding is not the answer to a smarter child. Those early-early years just adjust the child to the K-4 level with less surprises.

There should be little funding at the preschool level. I believe at that level CHASI (state aid) is the highest used funding in Illinois. You have to remember we are talking 5 year old kids mainly.

The next year they are in Kindergarten anyway. And, as mentioned above, the State of Illinois needs to trim tons of spending and soon!
the4thstooge read my blog
Jul 1, 2008 | 2:23 PM

im just saying,ii would rather see the money go to pre school funding than buying the gov a bigger airplane to commute or another mansion that he won't live in or visitor center in saugeat,or an airport no one will use,or hiring friends and family to gov jobs that othwer people would be more qualified in doing
PSylvester20 read my blog
Jul 1, 2008 | 3:24 PM

The supreme leader of The People's Republic of Chicago has done it again. Maybe the increased funding for preschool is to indoctrinate younger children into the "revolution".
I don't see how there can be a budget crunch in Illinois, since they've had sky-rocketing property taxes and the windfall from the 6.25% sales tax charged for gasoline.
I can't wait for Castro to finally kick the bucket, so Blagojevich can go take over for him.
lsmlp read my blog view my photos
Jul 1, 2008 | 3:31 PM

AnswerMan: You said that the early years just adjust the child to K-4 level.

I cannot disagree more! Preschools are actually TEACHING!!! These are not babysitters, they are certified teachers! I teach in MO, and probably 80% of our elementary kids have attended preK.

Kindergarten is not like it was with us! It is all day, educational....they are learning to read, write, add, subtract. We cannot wait until kindergarten to teach the letters and numbers like we used to, or they will struggle when in the elementary levels.

Now this may seem like a contradiction, but my own kids did not attend preK. There was no need, I taught them at home all of the skills (and then some) they would need in school. And I feel if more parent did that, we'd be better off. Although preK is a GREAT resource for the average family who needs to "put" the kids somewhere while they go to work, it will never replace the mother's love and instruction.
Speedy62269 read my blog
Jul 1, 2008 | 4:58 PM

PSlyvester20: Your property tax in St. Clair County IL (like most) has ZERO going to the state of IL. The state gets their revenues from income and surcharges plus other smaller items.

Ismlp: Your comment on preschools is close. They are educational but the actual intent was Kindergarten preparation. Times have changed lately and now it's treated as another grade.

Yes, Pre-K isn't necessary if a parent can take an hour a day and educate the child. And, Pre-K does simulate daycare activities - mainly if it's done at a true daycare facility.

the4stooge: I agree...Illinois needs to stop wasting money on the Governor's trips.
Chickenkiller read my blog
Jul 1, 2008 | 10:29 PM

Isn't it strange that prior to the 1960's the schools did just fine in turning out kids without the alleged 'benefits' of pre-school. Today, the more 'education' that you add to the equation, the worse test scores become and the high-schools and colleges are turning out dysfunctional idiots by the boatload.

This whole thing is simply putting a band-aid on a cancer that has invaded our educational system and is nothing more than throwing money at a problem and hoping it will go away.
kdubken read my blog
Jul 2, 2008 | 1:21 PM

At least it gets kids away from their parents and into the hands of the teachers union at an earlier age.
Speedy62269 read my blog
Jul 6, 2008 | 11:37 PM

LOL to kdubken - somewhat true.

Will he next come up with infant care funding? Heck why not just have funds available the day of birth.

We are going a bit too far when we start allocating funds for preschool when we are leaving too many school agers behind already.
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