(Indiana) GOP proposal seeks all-day kindergarten for the poor

[hippiechick]

In other words, the state is going to force poor people to spend about $1800/yr that they don’t have to send their children to a mandatory school program that they didn’t ask for? Argh, this state is going to make my head explode. :mad:

http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060121/NEWS02/601210441/1006/NEWS01


GOP proposal seeks all-day kindergarten for the poor

Indiana's poorest children could go to kindergarten a full day next fall under a Republican proposal that supporters say would cost no extra taxpayer money and could open the way for school vouchers.

Up to 7,000 students would be eligible for the plan, according to Legislative Services Agency estimates, using tax money to pay for optional kindergarten at public or private schools. That would allow public money to reach private schools.

The plan, promoted as a first step to statewide full-day kindergarten, is backed by key Republicans in both houses of the legislature and has a good chance of success. Calls to Gov. Mitch Daniels' office for comment on the plan were not returned Friday. House Bill 1381 sidesteps the biggest objection to full-day kindergarten in years past -- that there was no money to pay for it . Republicans said it lays the groundwork until they start work on the state budget next year.

"I would anticipate the budget will turn around to the point where we will have an all-day kindergarten bill next year that will be broad-based," said Rep. Robert W. Behning, R-Indianapolis, who wrote the bill and presented it at a news conference Friday. The money -- about $1,250 a child -- wouldn't be enough to cover full-day tuition at most private schools, many of which charge about $3,000 per child.


… more at link …

[Hoosier]

1. Where e did they get the $3000/yr number?

My kids go to a 1/2 pre-school and it's $310/month for each. And my oldest stays an extra hour of 'pre-k' for another $90/month. I don't see how I'd be able to get each into an all-day 'K' for $3000/yr!

[GrantDem]

2. A thinly veiled attempt...

at a copycat version of Governor Kernan's all-day K proposal that the Repukes so adamantly opposed. The only this does is sneak school vouchers through.

These "people" will stop at nothing.:mad:

[hippiechick]

3. Follow up article ...

http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060124/NEWS02/601240478

Kindergarten bill criticized as harmful to public schools
GOP's full-day plan would drain money, witnesses say

By Staci Hupp

Public school supporters said Monday that state lawmakers should abandon a Republican plan that would use vouchers to finance full-day kindergarten for poor children. Testifying before the House education committee, critics said school vouchers, which give public money to private schools, would drain desperately needed resources from public schools.

"Public and private education are separate by law," Steven Mills, superintendent of schools for the City of Mishawaka, told members of the Republican-dominated committee. "It's time for the state of Indiana to step forward and say, 'We have to fund all-day kindergarten for public kids.' "

... more at link ...