Solutions Proposed for Floridas UNIVERSAL PRE-K DILEMMA BY THE START THE MUSIC FOUNDATION.

Representative Gus Barreio (R), Miami, has introduced a bill (HB 0821) that in some shape or form is expected to become the foundation of how Universal Pre-K will look in the state of Florida at the beginning of the 2005 school year. This bill allocates $2500 in the form of a scholarship to the families of the 168,000 eligible 4 year olds for the Florida UPK program. Whats not clear in the bill is whether this 420 million of funding is new funding as required by law and where its coming from if its not new funding.

Tampa, FL (PRWEB) February 24, 2004 --In the 2002 elections, the voters of Florida had 2 major educational issues to vote on. One was to limit classroom sizes and the second was to establish a high quality Universal Pre-Kindergarten program without using existing educational funds and make it free for all 4 year olds. Both amendments passed by considerable margins.

The Start the Music Foundation has extensively researched both issues, with over 2500 e-mails directly communicating with early childhood professionals, public school board members, parents and government officials on their thoughts and ideas to the Universal Pre-K issue in Florida. In addition, Start the Music interviewed by phone a large group of the existing 561 private gold seal providers of early childhood educational services in the state of Florida and has gained their perspective as well.

The conclusion of these reviews and the review of the work of the UPK advisory council, chaired by Lt. Gov Jennings, is outlined in a summary of recommendations that has been posted on the Start the Music website: http://server2000.net/a00201/2.html

The primary recommendation of the foundation is to create a cabinet level Department of Early Childhood Education (DECE). The funding for this department would include the $631 million currently in place for the Florida School Readiness Coalitions and other currently allocated funds for early childhood education. As a fundamental element of this recommendation, DECE would be responsible for kindergarten as well as the UPK program. Brain research findings show us children in the early years (birth through 6 years old) learn best in a play & learn environment. DECE should have the responsibility for developing this curriculum which differs from the code work environment of elementary education beginning at grade level 1." explained Charles L Harman Executive Director of the Start the Music Foundation at a recent early childhood professional development training meeting.

With the department of education facing mandatory classroom size reduction over the next several years at cost estimated by some to be as much as 28 billion, having DECE control the kindergartens may free up as many as 7,600 class rooms and reduce the need for another 4,000 kindergartens needed to meet mandated 18 student maximum from the current 22.5 students per kindergarten classroom. However, the fight by the DOE to maintain control over kindergarten may ultimately come down to money regardless of the benefits to reducing classroom sizes.

Although kindergarten is not mandatory in the state of Florida, the DOE with the expectation 80% of the states 5 year olds would be attending has funded it. Currently school budgets allocate between $15,200 and $18,300 per kindergarten student. If DECE were to become a cabinet level department, a large portion of that money would need to be reallocated to a scholarship program much like what is being proposed for the UPK program.

The Florida legislature is expected to wrestle with this issue well into the summer and may even face some legal challenges should funding turn into a shell game with existing funding.

The Foundations recommendations provide a well-researched and clear-cut path to funding and organizing a high quality universal pre-k program while taking in consideration the tremendous stress on the Department of Educations resources and ability to reduce classroom sizes.

About The Start the Music Foundation
The Start the Music Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to educating parents and early childhood professional about the tremendous benefits of music as a fundamental educational tool in the early years.

CONTACT INFORMATION:
Sara Howell
Start the Music Foundation
c/o Music with Mar. Inc
727 781-4627
http://www.startthemusic.org   http://server2000.net/a00201/

Link to the entire bill: http://www.myfloridahouse.com/loadDoc.aspx?FileName=_h0821__.doc&DocumentType=Bill&BillNumber=0821&Session=2004