Idaho's Best Preschool is the Home

According to the Associated Press and Idaho Statesman, the state has decided it will not be tempted by federal dollars to put unsustainable preschool programs in our communities and further erode Idaho families. Millions of dollars were at stake in the U.S. Department of Education's "Race to the Top" contest, millions of federal dollars with the underlying purpose of intruding into states' educational responsibilities and creating a dependence on the federal government.

State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Tom Luna, rightly said no thank you to the feds for the one-time funding opportunity.

It is always difficult to look education money in the eye and walk away. But this money was not for technology infrastructure, or AP science and math enhancements. It was for social programs that preceded Idaho's fine system of public schooling, and would truly become addictive once put into our financial and educational blood streams.

There are other issues too. First, there is a reason that "1st Grade" is called First Grade. It is the first, initial, beginning, original, foundational, at the start, before any other, start-up grade for a child to become a student and begin formal schooling. It is after all the "First" grade by name and by definition.

Of course children do not need to wait for first grade to begin learning. That is what older siblings are for, grandmothers, and yes, parents themselves. But it is a precious time, those years between birth and ages 5 or 6, when some will elect to attend Kindergarten programs, and most will then enter First Grade. I see it every day, with my 26 month-old grand baby. Oh my. She learns everyday. And yes, some from television, but much from her grandmother and parents. Sometimes I am useful, but I think I am more for her entertainment.

Regardless, small children are the responsibility of their parents and families, and Idaho's fine, free, public education kicks in with first grade, or kindergarten for some. Let the children play. Let them learn and grow with their families. They will certainly be in our schools soon enough, and eroding money off of our Constitutionally mandated education, for preschool would be unwise.

Make no mistake about it, the free federal money will leave and we would be expected to maintain programs that like an elixir endrunkened us to continuing expectation, we would be hooked on the convenience of non-familial responsibility, and one day cry with pains of withdrawal for more funding.

Better to just say no from the get go. Keep babies in their homes, or in day-care or with nannies or even private preschools for the wealthy - they will buy what they want anyway. No funding program will ever level the disparities between poor and wealthy. Our educators and legislature must keep its eye on our Constitutional charge and not be distracted by easy money from a desperate White House.

This was the right call by Idaho, and its educator-in-chief.

Idaho GOP finds proper balance in Education funding

[PROPER CREDIT: This column by the Blog author originally appeared in the Idaho Statesman - September 6, 2011]

Larry Grant recently wrote (Idaho Statesman - 8/21/2011) about paying a “Republican-imposed ‘Family Tax,’” referring to student and activity fees for his grandson as he registered him in one of Idaho’s public schools. He goes on to blame Governor Butch Otter and State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Tom Luna, and Republicans in general for the costs of non-essentials in our state’s schooling. Grant simply does not understand the purpose of public education.

Throughout the World’s history it was the sons and daughters (sons primarily) of the aristocracy who were given the benefit of education. They learned to read and write, and studied history and government, literature, science and mathematics. They had to, for as the reigning heirs they one day would govern and must be prepared.

In this country a great and bold experiment was put forth by our Founders – the common man was the heir to power in a government by the people. The common child could grow up to become President, as evidenced by William Jefferson Clinton, of Arkansas, and others. But more importantly than President, the common child would become a voter, an elector of representatives, a decider of issues – he or she would become “we,” and we the people would reign as an aristocracy of commoners.

Thus our common or public schools were born. To prepare the sons and daughters of our aristocracy of commoners as no other nation before, prepare them to lead in civic responsibility. Able to read and write, and educated in math and science, history, government, and literature; ready to govern commonly.

And so through Idaho’s Constitution that charge is made, establishing as “the duty of the legislature of Idaho, to establish and maintain a general, uniform, and thorough system of public, free common schools.” Each year that duty is met by a responsible Legislature, and Governor, and the efforts are led by a State Superintendent and carried out in hundreds of schools in our local communities by inspired and trained educators.

Mr. Grant would have us believe that the Idaho Constitution requires every school to provide at taxpayer expense every conceivable opportunity for every talent or interest brought by every child. No nation and certainly no state can afford such, nor would it be good “common” government.

For special talents and special interests it is well and good that our schools provide special programs and activities. But with special programming outside the thoroughness of our required “general” public education comes the need for special funding.  – not by increasing the taxes of the common man and woman.

Meanwhile, missed by Mr. Grant, and perhaps the Idaho Democratic Party he represents is the opening this very year of three new public charter schools just in the Treasure Valley – more choices, more specialized interests and talents, without increased tax burdens on working men and women. This is responsible government, and government as demanded by our citizen aristocracy.

Yet if blame need be given for reductions in Idaho’s education funding, that blame can be aimed at the residual impact of a federal government unwilling to control the illegal in-migration through our borders, and the associated state and federal costs.

We can blame runaway and irresponsible spending by a President and Congress not willing to keep us living within our national means. We can blame the highest corporate tax rates among comparator nations for stifling the economic growth this nation could produce.

There is much to “blame,” but Idaho’s elected leadership rejecting additional tax burdens on its citizens and at the same time balancing our State’s budget are not on the list.