This month, as we celebrate the achievements of our graduates, a new group of children is waiting in the wings to start school. A recent study suggests that less than half of them are prepared for kindergarten.
First 5 Contra Costa recently released findings from a comprehensive study indicating that 44 percent of children entering kindergarten in Contra Costa County were fully ready for school, while 35 percent were considered partially ready and 22 percent were viewed as not prepared to start kindergarten.
The study, involving more than 1,100 children in 10 elementary school districts, used ratings by kindergarten teachers of their student’s preacademic and social skills as well as each child’s ability to self-regulate their behavior (e.g., follow class rules and routines). These ratings are predictive of later academic success.
In this study it is not surprising that children from more affluent families were rated as better prepared for kindergarten. Factors such as attending preschool, participating in transitional kindergarten and visiting a public library positively impacted readiness. Among children from low-income families, the child’s health, well-being and participation in prekindergarten programs had a significant impact on their school readiness. This information, coupled with our understanding that 90 percent of brain development occurs in the first five years of life, begs the question: Why aren’t more children enrolled in preschool programs?
The answer is quite clear. Contra Costa has a shortage of 10,000 spaces for infant and toddler care, and our county’s Head Start programs have a waiting list of about 6,000 children. To address this problem, school districts may offer assistance in expanding access to quality early education programs, but this provides only a partial solution. It will take more than school district efforts to close this gap.
Through First 5’s ongoing training and evaluation efforts, we know how to develop high-quality early childhood education programs. Thus, while our young children’s needs are clear and the methods to provide quality services are at hand, the resources are lacking to offer preschool programs.
Returning to our recent graduates, we can recall the supports that many of them received along their academic journey, as well as before formally entering school. We as a county must prioritize early childhood education so that a majority of Contra Costa’s children are prepared to begin and succeed in school.
— Lee Ross, Ph.D., First 5 Contra Costa commissioner, Contra Costa Head Start policy council member
Letter on Israeli-Palestinian conflict wrong on many levels
This is a complaint. I read a recent letter in the Montclarion (“Jewish heritage, Jewish state inseparable for most of community,” June 8) and found it to be offensive. It was a propaganda piece and should never be printed in your newspaper.
The first problem is its length, covering two columns. There is a cutoff of 150 words. Somehow this has escaped you. Much of it is debatable, and your editor should have excised parts that were not factual. From U.N. sources, Palestinians, who were forced from their land, owned 93 percent of the property. If anyone reads the U.N. charter of 1945, they will discover that Hamas is well within its rights to resist, though that resistance has been largely superficial. The Israelis have brought on the tragedy of Gaza —most international observers will concede that. I could go on.
What is most disturbing is that the author seems to pledge allegiance to a foreign state and drag the rest of the Jewish community along with him. Little imagination would be necessary to gauge the reaction of Americans if they were Russian. Further, this country was built on the backs of slaves, yet black football players’ protesting the killing of their brethren by an arm of the government are vilified and their allegiance called into question by simply taking a knee in protest. Jews, however, are judged by a different standard, and that is wrong.
Because the issue of Israel is apparently not open to debate, it is a clear violation of the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution that you should print only one side and ignore the other. Add to this the lack of independence of the Fourth Estate, again a departure from the Constitution.
— Robert Sinuhe, Oakland
Editor’s note: the letter in question was a response to a previously published op-ed piece, “Opinion: Jewish heritage, Israeli state not same thing,” May 25 Alameda Journal.
Add a new Coast Starlight line instead of high-speed rail
This is in regard to all the talk about the need for high-speed rail in California.
I think many of us who like to take intercity trains think that adding a second Coast Starlight train is way more needed than the high-speed rail line. As it is now, with many stations not served by local buses at night, the train, practically speaking, only serves about half the state. Oregon shares this problem. We need a citizens’ lobby group to form to push government to take this step first.
— Gerald Manata, Walnut Creek
Some Bible verses contradict Sessions on border policy
The U.S. attorney general recently quoted Scripture to justify the Trump administration’s actions at the border.
Apparently he overlooked this passage from the Old Testament, Zechariah 7:9-10: “Thus speaketh the Lord of hosts, saying execute true judgment and show mercy and compassion every man to his brother. And oppress not the widow, nor the fatherless, the stranger, nor the poor; and let none of you imagine evil against his brother in your heart.” Et tu, Mr. Sessions?
— Robert Hoag, Concord
Common Core math reminiscent of New Math fiasco
Regarding “A common frustration: Parents, forget what you know about math — Common Core is ‘absolutely insane,’ ” (Page A1, June 17 East Bay Times), this article shows that parents, students and — I dare say — teachers are frustrated with Common Core math.
In my opinion, a first-, second- or third-grader does not need critical thinking in math, but he or she does need to know math basics to move forward. It reminds me of New Math, a brief, dramatic change in the way mathematics was taught in American grade schools in the 1960s. After years, it was found that New Math didn’t work and schools went back to the basics.
But an educator probably became wealthy by selling the New Math concept, as will the educator who determined we need Common Core math, I would guess. One parent quoted in the article said, “… there is nothing we can do about it. It is what it is.”
No. If you do not agree with how your kids are being taught, scream and shout it from rooftops, take action with the state. This is your child’s education.
— Linda Stankey, Concord
Submit your letters to the editor at www.eastbaytimes.com/letters-to-the-editor.