When Denver children show up for kindergarten, far too many are unprepared – and it can be an uphill struggle to catch up. That’s quite a burden for a 5-year-old, and there are great social and economic costs down the road.
The value of preschool education is well known, but for many families the opportunities can be scarce.
Mayor John Hickenlooper and education advocates have developed a tuition voucher plan that would give more Denver 4-year-olds a chance to participate in pre-K programs. The concept, Initiative 1A, relies on a modest increase in the city’s sales tax.
We urge voters to vote Y-E-S.
It isn’t a perfect plan, though, and there are important details that must be hashed out by the governing board that will guide the so-called Denver Pre-School Program (DPP).
Voters are being asked to increase the city sales tax by .12 percent (12 cents on a $100 purchase). That would raise an estimated $12 million a year, money that would go to parents as “tuition credits” to send their 4-year-olds to the program of their choice. The dollar amount for each child would be determined on a sliding scale depending on family income. The neediest families would get up to $5,200 a year.
This is the third try for a “kids’ tax” initiative this decade. Measures defeated in 2000 and 2001 involved a heftier tax and were for a wider variety of children’s programs.
The 1A money must be spent at state-licensed preschool facilities that agree to meet yet-to-be-developed quality assurance standards. Religious schools are eligible, which has raised concern, since Colorado law prohibits spending tax money on religious education.
The Anti-Defamation League believes 1A violates church-state restrictions and, if the measure passes, it is likely to be challenged in court. Attorneys for the city believe the measure passes constitutional tests.
We’re not against funding preschools at religious facilities, but it would be improper to use public funding for religious instruction.
If voters approve 1A, DPP’s founding board should adopt rules such as those that guide the federal HeadStart program that prohibit the spending of public dollars on religious education.
Hickenlooper should nominate board members who embrace such guidelines. For voters, it’s a leap of faith, because the board could decide not to do so, fearing it would limit the number of participating programs.
It’s vital, too, that the DPP not lead to an expanded voucher approach under which other public funds are used in religious K-12 schools.
If Denver wants to increase graduation and achievement rates, early childhood education is imperative. This program would give a boost to 1,500 to 2,000 Denver children.
Expanded preschool can provide valuable social skills and prepare our children for the school years ahead.
