TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Suncoast Pasco News

Pre-K Students Ponder Brighter Future

Courtesy of Roy Miller

AS PART OF THE STATEWIDE “Picture the Future” campaign, which boosts pre-kindergarten education, students at ABC Academy, above, show state Sen. Mike Fasano a poster they made showcasing images of what they want to be when they grow up.

ADVERTISEMENT

By Jessica  Bair | The Suncoast News

Published: November 27, 2007

NEW PORT RICHEY, Fla. - NEW PORT RICHEY, Fla. - State Sen. Mike Fasano met with the future President of the United States on Tuesday.

Jaylen Lashley, a 5-year-old prekindergarten student at ABC Academy in New Port Richey, dressed as what he'd like to become when he grows up for the preschool's career day presentation.

"I want to get all the votes," Jaylen said when asked why he wants to become president.

Students received a visit from Fasano, as well as New Port Richey Mayor Dan Tipton and Councilwoman Marilynn deChant. The government leaders were participating in "Picture the Future," a statewide campaign emphasizing the importance of high quality universal early childhood education.

One-by-one the children presented Fasano, a New Port Richey Republican, with drawings of what they imagine their future careers would be like. They also performed a song in English, Spanish and sign language.

All across Florida, more than 15,000 preschoolers were expected to participate in the event sharing their artwork with business leaders and legislators to show what they learned of various careers.

"A pre-K program of any kind is extremely important to the development of young minds at an early age," Fasano said in support of the universal program in an interview Tuesday.

"It's amazing how different a child can be after a program like this," he said.
Fasano told teachers and parents in attendance he was a high school dropout at age 15 and worked to support his family, later pursuing a degree at what is now St. Petersburg College.

"When we were growing up, we didn't have something like this," said Fasano, who admits he might have benefited from an early start program like this one.

The event, which was coordinated with the help of the Children's Campaign, Generations United and the Early Childhood Association, hopes to make pre-K a public policy priority.

In 2002, Florida voters approved a constitutional amendment mandating school districts offer free, voluntary prekindergarten programs to all families with children of eligible age.

"This preschool is the model for what Florida should do for every 4-year-old," says Roy Miller, president of the Children's Campaign. "It's a smart thing to do and the right thing to do," he says of the state's possible adoption of the improved plan.

Miller says the goal is to amend the state law that implemented the pre-K constitutional requirement to make it mandatory that pre-K teachers hold a college degree.

"Pre-K isn't just about socializing anymore," says Laurie Mykel, director of ABC Academy. "They are expected to know more than ever before."

Prior to kindergarten, children develop 85 percent of their cognitive and emotional growth, says Mykel of its importance.

By 2013, Florida will need to spend approximately $250 to $300 million beyond its current budget to "ramp up and recruit pre-K teachers," says Miller.

According to Miller, the five-year time table would allow the current teachers to obtain certifications and degrees, colleges to offer early education courses and high school students to pursue early childhood education as a career path.

For more information on the amendment, visit the Children's Campaign www.iamforkids.org > Web site.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT