Have you ever wondered how Kindergarten came into being? John Taylor Gatto in Why fix a system designed to destroy individual thought? mentions the origins of Kindergarten and its connections to Socialist philosophy. I think Kindergarten is a fine option for some, but no one who believes in freedom should stand by and give the government permission to make Kindergarten mandatory. Please pay attention to the upcoming California Assembly Bill 1236 which would do just that.
I received the following in my inbox from Diane Flynn Keith, well-known for her Clickschooling and Universal Preschool websites. I have been meaning to research and write a bit about this bill, and haven’t had time. I am thankful that Diane gave me permission to re-print a few of her thoughts here:
Help Stop Mandatory Kindergarten In California & Beyond!
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California School Borgs
Launch Mandatory Kindergarten:
Is Resistance Futile?
In lock-step with the California Teachers Association, and marching to the beat of the do-it-for-the-global-economy-and-new-world-order drum, California Assembly Member Gene Mullin (Democrat, South San Francisco) introduced the heinous Assembly Bill 1236: Kindergarten Readiness Act that will be heard on Wednesday, April 25th before the Assembly Committee on Education. The bill:
1) MAKES FULL TIME KINDERGARTEN MANDATORY UNDER PENALTY OF LAW for children who turn 5 years of age by September 1st of any given school year beginning in 2011. The state is going to force parents of little, tiny kids to put them in school. When did we all agree that the state should have the responsibility for educating our babies? How can anyone in a free nation go along with the idea of FORCED government schooling of defenseless and vulnerable children? Where’s the freedom and liberty in that?
2) In direct opposition to the will of the people of California who voted against Prop 82 - The Universal Preschool Initiative in June of 2006, AB 1236 REQUIRES school districts to offer KINDERGARTEN READINESS CLASSES (also known as universal preschool) for all children one year before they are enrolled in kindergarten. While these preschool classes will be offered as voluntary at first, mandatory preschool is the next specious step.
The MINIMUM school day for 4- and 5- year-olds in kindergarten readiness classes and kindergartens will be 3 HOURS A DAY, 5 DAYS A WEEK! This time is to be filled with state-concocted, developmentally inappropriate, rigorous academic content standards for both kindergarten and preschool programs in math and literacy. The bill requires assessment (also known as TESTING) of tots!
The push to detain young children in preschool and kindergarten is driven by imprudent and corrupt political and social agendas that advance the globalized future. How could there be any other explanation when policy makers IGNORE early childhood education experts such as the signers of the declaration of The Call To Action On The Education of Young Children who warn against too early and too highly structured education in preschool and kindergarten saying:
“If such practices were effective for five-year- olds, we would have seen better long-term results by now. We call for a reversal of the pushing down of the curriculum that has transformed kindergarten into de facto first grade.
Current trends in early education policy and practice heighten pressure and stress in children’s lives, which can contribute to behavioral and learning problems.
This well-intentioned but misguided policy may actually put children at increased risk of school failure.“
While the monolithic, corporatized school system may be a formidable opponent, I call on all parents to protect California’s (and every state’s) 4- and 5-year olds from politicians who mindlessly and robotically introduce and pass legislation that is not in the best interests of young children. Their hearts and minds have been assimilated by what I can only think to refer to as “school borgs.” They care more about money than they do about kids. Let’s stop them in their tracks.
Since a resistance movement is most immediately needed in California, please take one or all of the following actions:
FAX or send by U.S. mail a letter of opposition to “AB 1236: The Kindergarten Readiness Act” to the members of the Education Committee. (If you want to email them, click on their names, go to their websites, and fill out the email contact form there.) Or telephone their offices and let them know you are opposed to AB 1236. Here is the contact info for each member:
Mike Eng
FAX: (626) 450-6117
Phone: (626) 450-6116
Address: 9420 Telstar Avenue, Suite 103, El Monte, CA 91731
Lori Hancock
FAX (510) 559-1478
Phone: (510) 559-1406
Address: 712 El Cerrito Plaza, El Cerrito, CA 94530
Bob Huff
FAX (909) 860-5664
Phone: (909) 860-5560
Address: 23355 E. Golden Springs Drive, Diamond Bar, CA 91765
Betty Karnette
FAX: Call for Fax #
Phone: (310) 548-6420 or (562) 997-0794
Address: 3711 Long Beach Boulevard, Suite 801, Long Beach, CA 90807 or
461 West 6th Street, Suite 306, San Pedro, CA 90731
Alan Nakanishi
FAX (209) 333-5333
Phone: (209) 333-5330
Address: 218 W. Pine Street, Lodi, CA 95240
Jose Solorio
FAX (714) 939-8986
Phone: (714) 939-8469
Address: 2400 E. Katella Avenue, Suite 640, Anaheim, CA 92806
If Mandatory Kindergarten or Universal Preschool is looming in your state, you can find the contact information for your legislators HERE.
