Does Pre-K need teachers with four-year degrees?
Currently there is a movement for pre-K teachers to have four-year degrees. In 2002 many Floridians voted for a “high quality” public pre-k program, expecting those preschool classes would be taught by college-educated teachers. Most of them are not.
On April 9, 2007, FL Gov. Charlie Crist showed support for a proposal to require that lead teachers in FL’s voluntary pre-kindergarten program have a four-year college degree. The basis for his view included “Education is an equal-opportunity provider. It can only be that if it is a quality education.” Six former governors and the widow of a seventh, representing Seniors4kids, called upon Crist and the Legislature to live up to the 2002 voter mandate for high-quality pre-kindergarten.
WHY?
- According to the latest annual report from the National Institute for Early Education, the quality of Florida’s pre-K program ranks among the lowest in the nation.
- Research shows that teacher’s who have a bachelor’s degree create superior learning environments, have more responsive interactions with children, and provide richer language and learning experiences.
- Florida’s current legislation frames a bachelor’s degree for pre-K teachers as a goal and not as a requirement.
Over the next few days, I will post more information about this movement and what it could mean for the future of prekindergarten education.
