The website I have chosen to focus on for the next eight
weeks is http://www.nhsa.org which is the
National Head start Association. This
organization focuses on the advocacy of providing children with early
intervention services to become a healthier and more academically accomplished
young person all over the United States.
The article that caught my attention in this month’s newsletter is the
2013 budget for the Head Start program and the danger it inflicts. The Head Start program is looking at
significant budget cuts in 2013 affecting teacher cuts and the program as a
whole. Children’s acceptance into the
program will be significantly cut as well as the budget for operating
cost. The NHSA is asking for all educators
to contact their congressman and advocate for the benefits of the Head Start
program. I know as a Head Start teacher
the severe impact the budget has on the program. I lost my job last year along with several
other teachers and assistants after we went form an 18 classroom program to
10. We served 280 kids in 2011-2012 and
those numbers have decreased significantly.
In a population in which the Head Start program serves a majority of the
young children it really broke my heart to know that we loss major funding this
school year and now are at risk for losing more. In relation to the demographics and the
budget cuts it is simple as long as we are losing we are failing our
children. It is hard enough to be an
immigrant in the United States but not having the proper services to give each
child a level playing field is even more of a tragedy. I crinch at the thought that Congress won’t
think enough of our young children to advocate for their education; it is time
to implement universal preschool! The
demographics show the increase in populations of immigrants and their children
needing early intervention services. It
would be un-American not to provide them with an equal opportunity education.
I know what you mean Michele. It is hard to believe that they are making these cuts in early childhood. They are not looking at what this well cost in the long run or what it is going to do to the children that cannot have the service that they need in order to be successful in their life.
ReplyDeleteLucinda
Lucinda,
DeleteWhere is President Johnson when you need him? I guess all those who were in favor of providing early interventions, reducing crime, retention, and devloping self esteem either forgot what they voted for or died. Is it redicuolus we do not have universal preschool and the necessary budget to provide our children with a great education. How can we compete with other countries if we do not have the money to provide services. The No Child Left Behind is a cop out!!! Don't blame teachers for poor budgets and increasing demands.
Doesn't it blow your mind that one of the first things that always gets budget cuts are education programs. I just cannot believe why people would ever think that was a good idea. I don't understand how people do want to give our future generations more education and more opportunities. Everyone knows all of the benefits of doing so, it has been shown time and time again in study after study. It just breaks my heart and makes us just have to fight harder and harder for these children because the people that run our country can't see what is really important.
ReplyDeleteCrystal Rae,
DeleteSweet revenge will come our way when crongress needs a budget for more nursing homes and our youth our in the white house!!!!! LOL!
National Head Start Association is such a blessing for the field of early childhood development. Due to all their efforts and research, children and families with low socioeconomic statuses have the opportunity to receive high quality care during early childhood development. However, I do wish that they did not have an income limit for services because I, like so many others, make too much for my child to experience a wonderful program so I have to pay and arm and a leg to send my daughter to high quality program. I look forward to following your blog to see any updates that are occurring in our ever changing society.
ReplyDelete