In Stark County, as in the nation, there is an understanding that the first five years of a child’s life are critical in determining future success. Research shows that brain development is greatest before the age of three. Also, research by early care and education experts, as well as economists have shown that participation in quality early care and education programs produce long-term gains in social skills that lead to higher student achievement and greater success as an adult. In 2001, Ohio recognized the importance of early preparation for school by making completion of kindergarten a requirement for entry into first grade.
Several Stark County research-based initiatives that provide interventions including: quality trained staff, parental involvement and mentoring for parents to support their child’s first five years have been successful in increasing early child success. These initiatives demonstrate clearly that parental involvement is critical for the success of the child in early education. Additionally, the National Association for the Education of Young Children accreditation process and the state’s Step Up to Quality rating system have helped define quality.
The cost of early care and education is borne almost solely by the parent. The cost of providing full-time care for a single child can exceed $7,000 annually (compared to the $3,810 tuition costs for a student going full-time at Stark State College of Technology or $4,770 for a full-time student at Kent State Stark). Compounding this problem, budget cuts from the state have impacted early education in Stark County. The Early Learning Initiative (ELI), was a program that provided all-day year round quality preschool for children of families with incomes at 200 percent of poverty or lower. ELI was defunded by the state in the State Fiscal Year 2010 budget. ELI children from families with incomes less than 150 percent of the poverty level may be eligible to receive subsidized care. As a result of ELI defunding, teacher to children ratios in former ELI centers which were at one teacher to every seven students have increased to as much as 1 to 12. In addition to the defunding of ELI, the state has also reduced subsidy rates paid to child care centers.
The decrease in state funding has put additional pressure on centers to maintain qualified teachers. Teachers who obtain a bachelors degree often leave child care centers. The state Step Up to Quality rating system requires that centers that want to acquire the third quality star have teachers with degrees. There is a desire to advance early care and education, but the funds are not available.
National Association for the Education of Young Children
High/Scope Perry Preschool Project |
|
