Evaluation of EPI's study by Richard Rothstein
Topic: Education reform
Class and Schools by Richard Rothstein proposes preschool programs by highly qualified early childhood teachers to equalize opportunity for children from low income/minority backgrounds. Such proposals have an element of fiscal fantasy given the difficulty with supporting K-12 public education. Also he points out the importance of character/behavioral education to assist the children in improving their educational and employment outcomes. I would suggest that we drop the exaggerated qualifications for preschool educators and train and supervise aides from low income areas. While their academic qualifications may be lower, their capacity to provide moral and behavioral training should be superior given the fact that they share the same background as the children. Suc aides would travel around to the day care programs and also allow stay at home parents to bring children to such programs. This would be lower cost because the custodial care remains with the day care provider rather than being assumed by the public school program. One tragic aspect to NCLB is the disqualification of such aides for public education and also the elimination of positions in response to cost pressures. There is no way such service can be feasibly offered by higher paid certified teachers.