Sharing Web Resources

In exploring the Children’s Defense Fund website, I explored they link CDF in the News, which provided a variety of current news articles pertaining to early childhood. I thoroughly explored two articles, Law of Unintended Consequences and Investing In and Not Cutting Programs for Children is Key to Our Economic Future. Both articles were informative and provided information for though about current budget issues and the need for political support of early childhood policies and programs. According to the article Investing In and Not cutting Programs for Children is Key to Our Economic Future, Marian Wright Edelman states, “We need to get our priorities right: to invest in babies ahead of bankers and to make tough choices based on real national security needs—our human capital” (Children's Defense Fund, 2011)

The importance of changing our education system and ensuring high quality learning for all children was made paramount by the article, Law of Unintended Consequences, which discusses the unintended consequences of the No Child Left Behind Act. While the NCLB act intended to ensure America’s children were exceeding academically outshining the children of other countries has had the opposite effect, and it is now clear that should the NCLB act remain as it is, the majority of America’s children will be left behind. Marian Wright Edelman describes a few of the unintended consequences in her statement,

• NCLB's narrow focus on "high stakes" testing and its overreliance on sanctions that punish struggling schools encouraged states to lower standards, districts to narrow the curriculum, schools to push at-risk children out of school by suspending or expelling them prior to test day, and teachers to teach to the test. No child—regardless of background—benefits from mindless test preparation day in and day out at the hands of often overwhelmed, underprepared, and poorly supported teachers. (Edelman, 2011)

Both articles contributed to my understanding of equity and excellence in early care and education as they both discussed current statistics defining the effectiveness of America’s education system, including the fact that 60% of America’s children cannot perform at grade level. Additionally both discussed the current budget suggestions of cutting funding to programs that provide services to children of low-income families.

• …congress will need to go beyond the Blueprint and include provisions for education excellence our most vulnerable children: children in concentrated poverty, children in need of full-day kindergarten, children at risk of dropping out or being pushed out of school, children in juvenile detention, and children in foster care. (Edelman, 2011)

The Children’s Defense Fund March eNewsletter also discussed ensuring that the budget supports early childhood education and programs designed to help those suffering from poverty. “Children of all ages remain in danger, as some lawmakers continue to set their sights on drastic cuts to Head Start, Community Health Centers, Pell Grants, and other lifelines for poor children and families.” (Children's Defense Fund, 2011).

While I did not gain any new insights, I did get a better understanding of the inequity of funding and high quality programs, as well as a better understanding of the effect of lack of political support. Additionally, I was shocked at the amount of programs and support some politicians wish to cut from children and families, as I see investments into America’s children as investments into our nation’s future, and providing for children who cannot provide form themselves just basic humanity.

“Giving children their basic human rights to adequate nutrition, health care, and education should be a no brainer” (Children's Defense Fund, 2011).

References:

Children's Defense Fund. (2011, February 14). Investing In and Not Cutting Programs for Children is Key to Our Economic Future. Retrieved April 9, 2011, from Children's Defense Fund: http://www.childrensdefense.org/newsroom/cdf-in-the-news/press-releases/2011/investing-in-and-not-cutting.html

Children's Defense Fund. (2011, March). Monthly Newletter March 2011. Retrieved April 9, 2011, from Children's Defense Fund: http://cdf.childrensdefense.org/site/MessageViewer?em_id=23121.0&dlv_id=0

Edelman, M. W. (2011, February 11). Law of Unintended Consequences. Retrieved April 9, 2011, from HUFFPOST EDUCATION: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/marian-wright-edelman/law-of-unintended-consequ_b_821819.html