You won't believe what I just did...

It may sound simple to you, even obligatory, but for me it was monumental, nerve racking, and at the same time liberating and empowering. My work has been buzzing about a new house bill in Utah that is in the works. This house bill would end our preschools and all preschools in public schools in the state of Utah. It's interesting to me how corporations, individuals, and philanthropies have been donating money and my boss in now on a first name basis with the U.S. Secretary of Education Arnie Duncan (he's even been invited out to UT and we're supposed to be helping the state of NY get their early childhood education on track) and yet we could possibly be shut down. I'm not definite on what this does for the special education aspect of things. By federal law children with special needs are required to be served in the least restrictive environment. This could mean putting them in private preschools, creating private preschools for special needs (that in most cases will NOT be least restrictive...in any case it would become a self-contained); or private therapies and services in the home (which doesn't provide school readiness or peer models like being in preschool does....not to mention that the majority of families can't afford that either and medicaid will only pay for a small portion).

But of course so much of early childhood education isn't about the special education participants. Early childhood education creates school readiness and provides instruction on basic literacy skills that many children (especially those "at-risk") need to be successful while in school. Studies show that poor literacy skills tell the poor future of a child's education. In the Salt Lake Valley alone we have so many students who are English language learners, many of whom are the first "English speakers" in their families....at the age of 3! Needless to say I feel strongly about this, not only because it could mean losing my program, but it would mean losing many children who are too bright to be eligible for special education but can't keep up with the rest of the peers. These are the students we teachers lose sleep over, these are the students who "slip through the cracks", these are the students who will grow up feeling unsuccessful and hating school because they didn't have the support they needed.

So what did I do? I wrote my state representative (who happens to be on the committee for this bill). I found out that many members of the committee have personal interest in private preschools...this creates a conflict of interest (politics can disgust me sometimes). I was so nervous. I have NEVER done something like this before. I know it's my right to, we all have the right, that's why we vote, to have our voices heard, but I'm not the type to stick my neck out there. But I did for my little friends, but we'll have to wait and see before we know if any one was listening. My letter read:

Dear Rep. Kiser,

I have recently been informed of HB 181 that would prohibit public and charter schools from offering child care or preschool services. I strongly oppose this bill.
Creating such a law would cause a drastically negative impact on the academic achievement of children, especially of those who come from low income families and tend to be "at-risk" students. Many families lack the means and funding to send their children to private preschool programs. Systems like Title 1 preschools are successful in developing and providing early literacy skills to economically disadvantaged children and those who are English language learners. Each year the school readiness gap is smaller and smaller due to the participation in and efforts of early intervention programs such as preschool. Studies show that success in school and acting as an effective citizen in the community are linked to literacy competency. The earlier we are able to intervene and strengthen such skills the better.
The law would eliminate Community Learning Centers which educate adults and adolescents. Removing such institutions removes an opportunity for participants to improve their economic status, professional careers, family life, self-esteem, and community. This law would also prohibit corporate, philanthropic, and individuals from providing financial assistance to early learning in public education. Our schools already lack necessary funds this will hurt them even more. The removal of after-school programs operated at public schools will stop extended learning opportunities and remove a "safe place" for children of all ages to be during non-school hours. Studies have shown that this is a time when students are more at-risk of becoming victims or instigators of crime and gang activity.
I am a preschool Special Educator. I come in contact on a daily basis with families and children of all walks of life. To see a young 3-5 year old light up with excitement for the opportunity to learn, make friends, and develop self-esteem is a priceless experience. I know many families who would not be able to attend preschool if it wasn't for assistance of philanthropies or generous individuals or for the presence of Title 1 preschools. By law we must provide services for children with special needs but what about the enormous amount of children who are not eligible for special education but still need support in order to be prepared for the school age years?
I appreciate your sincere consideration of this message and pray you will find the significance that I and so many others have seen in preschool programs in public schools. I appreciate your vote of opposition to this bill.

With sincere gratitude, your constituent,
Bailey Armour

I probably could have conjured up something that would have been more of a "tear-jerker" than "fire-and-brimstone" but I was on fire at the moment and only had twenty minutes before a meeting with my boss. Maybe I'll write again soon. If you're reading this and you live in UT you should contact your representative as well, whether they are on the committee or not.

For another first, I'm going snowboarding with Spencer in an hour so I should get going. Pray for my little friends (the failure of HB 181) and that I don't break anything.