I tried to find out researches in early
childhood field in China from internet, but I found very little web site
providing research results, but some commercial organizations using some
overseas research to advocate for their caring programs. So I checked NIEER(http://nieer.org/)
this week to understand the recent researches especially equity in United
States. I found out what they research are quite through, they provide
researches in “Access, assessment, quality and curriculum, special education,
economics and finance, state pre-k evaluations, English language learners…”, it
is quite interesting to look at the information, and reflect about why I can
not find anything like this in China.
When I read the news 10-Year National Preschool Study Finds Decreased Support for Quality and Greater Disparities in Access, I found out some similar situations like what happened in China, for example:
- “Enrollment increased dramatically for 4-year-olds over the decade, but funding did not keep pace. The recession led many states to limit funding, intensifying a long-term trend in the wrong direction. State expenditure per child fell by more than $1,100, adjusting for inflation.
- Access to quality preschool education heavily depends on where a child lives. Ten states do not fund pre-K. Among those that do fund pre-K, enrollment, standards, and funding differ in the extreme. Without federal action these interstate inequalities are likely to persist.
- States have far less data available to inform policy regarding their preschool programs and the children they serve than they do for K-12 education. For example, many states cannot report enrollment for children by ethnic background, home language, or family income.”
Hi Xia, It is sad to think that we are just not given enough funding for our children to succeed. Early childhood education is part of their education just like elementary and beyond but it is not seen as the same. Hopefully it will change for the best in the future and maybe China can have more access as well. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteRose
Hi Xia,
ReplyDeleteI agree with Rose above that it is so sad that there is not enough funding for preschool. This is something that is so important for children to have. I am a strong believer that if early childhood educators educate the adults (government type people as well) that we can make a difference. We need to fight for these kiddos. I feel my own children have an upper hand because their mommy decided to be and early childhood teacher so I know the importance. I am always preaching to friends and family about how important preschool is and that it is not fair that it is not offered like K-12.