Sharing Web Resources

Because I know so little about public policies, I decided to explore the public policy section on the  NAECY's website. Under the tab "Take Action", the viewer is given an option, to write the president of the United States, concerning any issues in early education. I decided to write a letter to our president, about the insufficient wages paid to early educators; using myself as an example, I explained the dilemma( struggling finanacially) faced by most highly qualified early childhood educators. Please see a copy of the letter below:

Dear President Obama,

I am currently working as an early childhood assistant teacher for the Saint Louis Public School District. I am sending this email, to express my frustration with my bi-weekly take home wages. Before I go into specific details about my income amount, I would like to give you some insight into my past experience in the early childhood field. I have been an early educator for eighteen years. My original career was medical technology. In 2004, I began my education coursework in early childhood education, and in June 2006 I graduated with an associate degree in early education. In December 2007, I obtained a B.S. in Child Development with a minor in Psychology. In June 2012 I passed the early childhood education Praxis exam. I am currently in a Graduate program, where I am working on a Master's degree in Early Childhood Education Specialties, with an emphasis on adult education and training, in the early education field. My take home pay after taxes is a little over $1100.00 per month! Research supports the positive impact of a quality early education programs, in the lives of young children, and their families. I am committed to providing an enriched learning environment for all children, and I believe if given the opportunity, all children have the ability to learn and have a successful future; unfortunately the wages paid to early childhood educators, cause highly qualified people to seek employment in other fields. When I compare the wages of professional ball players to teacher's salaries, the results are alarming. It sends a message that entertainment is more important, than investing in the lives of young children. I respect you as president, and I believe you desire to see change in our education system. Teachers deserve to earn enough money, to care for their families and invest in their financial future. We won't be able to accomplish anything with so very little money.

Thank You,

Magretta Nelson

I do not know if my letter will be read, but it sure felt good writing it! Under the public policy section, I Iearned that on April 10, 2013, president Obama annouced his proposed investment plans to the field of early education:

New Pre-K Proposal-

 $75 billion over the next ten years(All grants)

 $750 million in competitive discretionary funds for fiscal year 2014

Early HS- $1.4 billion increase to expand early head start

Home visiting-expanded by $15 billion

Head Start- $200 million increase( cost of living expenses, and redesignation costs

Child Care & Development Block Grant- $500 million increase in mandatory funds, and $200 million in discretionary dollars to improve quality

Part C Special Education-$20 million increase

Promise Neighborhoods-$ 300 million increase to help low income communities invest in a range of services to help children and families

If anyone is interested in viewing the above numbers for themselves, please visit www.naeyc.org, choose the "Public Policy" section and learn all of the new information related to the early education field. One of my reasons, for writing the president about the wages of early educators has to do with the issues families face with the inability to afford quality care for their children. Last week I learned through the access of one of my resources"The Child Care Trilemma: how moral orientations influence the field", childcare, and early education programs can't provide affordable care to parents without compromising the wages of the educators. If  you did not choose the article listed above as a resource, you may find some of the points made, quite interesting! Families are struggling  with the option, to provide their children with quality care, because the tuition for such programs, would take a big lump of their income. My prayer is that President Obama's proposed numbers for the investment in early childhood, are supported by members of congress, if not, take a look at what we will continue to see in the lives of our families.

  

 

         The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing

" Albert Einstein, physicist

Let us not be the ones who do nothing.