The attorney general of the state of Ohio wants to allow school districts that are in charge of public Ohio schools to charge families For all-day kindergarten. While it's still a bill and hasn't been voted on by the Ohio state Senate and House of Representatives and hasn't received a signature from the governor, it is still a sCary prospect.
Paying For Public School
If national law states that all children are entitled to a free, quality public education, I see neither reason nor right For Ohio schools to be charging anyone anything For Kindergarten or any other grade level. Ohio schools' kindergarten programs vary throughout the state, with some districts offering half-day and some full-day classes. Even within districts different Ohio schools offer different types of kindergarten, depending on the socio-economic background of the majority of the students. A few districts already charge a fee to families of Ohio schools who wish For their children to attend an Ohio schools kindergarten. Many parents believe that this is the way to go; the two programs already in place are extremely popular.
Where is This Idea Coming From?
Currently, the state provides funding For all Ohio schools to offer half-day kindergarten; those districts whose schools serve low-income families get funding For all-day class. If the bill becomes a law, Ohio Schools will be able to charge For a full-day kindergarten program on a sliding scale based on the families' incomes. Does this mean that the state would pull the funding that is currently in place and Force the schools to rely heavily on "tuition"?
What about the "No Child Left Behind Act"?
It seems that charging parents to send their children to Ohio schools For an all-day program For kindergartners would backfire in regards to the President's pet education law. For families who do not opt to send their kids to kindergarten all day long, it would seem that those students would not be getting an equal education. They may not learn as much during that first critical year of school, and might just possibly have trouble in the future. This is giving an edge to the Ohio schools' families who could afFord the $200+ per month proposed tuition. It smacks of elitism through and through.
Are There Benefits?
Sure, as long as the state doesn't pull the funding that they currently provide. Ohio schools could use the tuition monies that come in For lots of things. The most obvious one would be to provide teachers with better continuing education; perhaps even sending some to college to improve their skills. Tuition money could go towards expanding the arts program in the elementary Ohio schools - musical instruments, clay, and easels come to mind. The money could also be Used to supplement equipment fees and the infrastructure of the Ohio schools themselves. They money would definitely be put to good use, but is it worth the cost?
Patricia Hawke is a staff writer For Schools K-12, providing free, in-depth reports on all U.S. public and private K-12 schools. For more inFormation please visit Ohio Valley Schools
Source: www.ezinearticles.com
