| From the HSLDA E-lert Service: |
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| Date: From: Subject: | 2/21/2007 5:06:37 PM Home School Legal Defense Association Idaho: Calls Needed to Stop Tax-Funded Early Education Program |
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====================================================================== From the HSLDA E-lert Service... ====================================================================== Idaho: Calls Needed to Stop Tax-Funded Early Education Program Dear HSLDA Members and Friends: Senate Bill 1079 is likely to be heard on the Idaho Senate Floor this week. This bill does two things: (1) permits public schools to offer the program for 4-year-olds and (2) sets a budget to fund these programs from taxpayer money. HSLDA is working closely with Idaho Coalition of Home Educators (ICHE) to oppose this bill. For 23 years HSLDA has been battling the slow advancement and expansion of compulsory attendance age. The National Education Association and various child welfare organizations have been pushing to get children under the supervision of the state at as an early age as possible. Senate Bill 1079 is another example of the proverbial "foot in the door"; once the program is established for 4-year-olds, the next step is to mandate enrollment of 4-year-olds. Research has shown that early education does not make smart students (see background below). REQUESTED ACTION Please contact your state senator and give him this message: "Please oppose Senate Bill 1079. We believe this is a waste of taxpayer money because it is proven that early childhood education programs have no long-term academic benefit. Parental involvement is the key factor for early childhood development, not the state." You can ask for your senator and leave a message by calling the legislative switchboard at (208) 332-1000 or toll free at (800) 626-0471. You can also use our legislative toolbox at http://www.hslda.org/toolbox to find your senator's contact information. BACKGROUND > According to the 2005 NAEP test scores, children from states that have low compulsory attendance ages (5-6) did not score any higher than children from the other states, and in some subjects their average was actually lower. > Many education experts have concluded that beginning a child's formal education too early may actually result in burnout and poor scholastic performance later. > A report published February 6, 2007 by the Goldwater Institute examines Stanford 9 test scores and finds Arizona kindergarten programs initially improve learning but have no measurable impact on reading, math, or language arts test scores by fifth grade. The data show that students in schools with all-day kindergarten programs have statistically significant higher 3rd-grade test scores, but there is no impact on 5th-grade scores. This finding is consistent with previous research. Forcing children into school early delivers short-term benefits at best. > Another significant impact of expanding the mandatory schooling is the inevitable tax increase to pay for more classroom space and teachers to accommodate the additional students compelled to attend public schools. When California raised the age of compulsory attendance, unwilling students were so disruptive that new schools had to be built just to handle them and their behavior problems, all at the expense of the taxpayer. For more information on compulsory attendance, please see our memorandum at http://www.hslda.org/docs/nche/Issues/E/Early_Education.asp Sincerely, Christopher J. Klicka HSLDA Senior Counsel ---------------------------------------------------------------------- -> Extreme makeovers are for extreme circumstances... Most homeschools don't need an extreme makeover, but there is something to be said for attention to detail and recognition of accomplishments. Watch the media and you'll soon see that not everyone wants home educators and homeschooling to look good. HSLDA works hard to shed light on the good work of home educators so it's obvious that we don't need someone "making-over" our homeschools. Join HSLDA and help us show the world that we're fine as we are . . . thank you! More reasons to join HSLDA... http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=1943 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ====================================================================== The HSLDA E-lert Service is a service of: Home School Legal Defense Association P.O. 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Thank you for your cooperation. ====================================================================== | |
