Count Charlie in

Six of the past eight Florida governors, plus the widow of a seventh, say the state should require prekindergarten teachers to have four-year degrees. The current governor tells the St. Petersburg Times that he agrees. "How do you argue against having certified teachers? I don't want to make that argument," Gov. Charlie Crist said Monday. "I wasn't asked to sign onto the letter. I would have. I'd sign onto it today." As for budget concerns, he added, "The real negotiation on the money begins next week so there's great opportunity to tweak and modify and realize new priorities."

Identical bills in the House and Senate (HB 1103/SB 2506) would accomplish the goal. But legislative leaders had doubts that the measure would move anytime soon. It's a matter of money and teacher supply, they said.  "I think everybody wants quality in pre-k," said Sen. Stephen Wise, chairman of the Education Pre-K-12 Appropriations Committee. "It's just a matter of how we really put the plan together so we don’t put ourselves in a bind."

Early education advocates expressed optimism at Crist's public stance. "Charlie has spoken passionately about following the will of the voter. He has spoken about high quality teachers," said Roy Miller, president of the Tallahassee-based Children's Campaign. "He has added up 1+1 and he knows it equals pre-k." But the past president of an association of child care providers questioned whether bachelor's degrees are the answer. "Do they need more than they’ve got now? Yes," said Danny Morris, past president of the Florida Association for Child Care Management. "We would like to see something between what is existing now, in the (child development associate) credential and the four-year degree."

Already, 22 of the 37 other states that offer state-funded prekindergarten require teachers to have bachelor's degrees, according to the National Institute for Early Education Research.

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Comments

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[Tracy Morris]

I am an early childhood educator with an AA in Elementary Ed. and also an AS in Early Childhood Management. I also hold a CDA. Yes, I am feeling the pinch to finish my BS in Child Development; however, my concern is how am I going to pay for it making the salary I do? This will be a problem for many current pre-k teachers. I think it is wrong to force out so many experienced teachers just because they couldn't finish a 4 year degree by 2013, whether because of finances, time, or inability to complete coursework. If the state is going to require 4 year degrees, they need to come up with a better plan for implementation, starting with a firm articulation agreement for the AS to BS degree. The plan would also include scholarships and credit given for work experience (aside from the CDA). And I can't think of any fully degreed teachers willing to work for $10-$11 an hour. That's about what they can expect to make teaching K4! I have a friend who will be graduating from a pre-primary/primary track next spring. She has chosen to teach third grade because she can't make any money teaching preschool. There you go. A real life testimonial! Enough said!

[Julie Bergstrom]

Yes, we should have degreed teachers, however, there should be a plan for funding. Start-up costs, materials and scholarships should be plentiful.

[Julie Bergstrom]

Yes, we should have degreed teachers, however, there should be a plan for funding. Start-up costs, materials and scholarships should be plentiful.

[Kathy]

Every other developed country in the world and some of our own States in this country require college degrees of their preschool teachers. To stay competetive at every level, all Americans should demand only the best education for our youngest children. Numerous studies have pointed to the long-term societal benefits of high quality early childhood education. Credentialed teachers are integral to high quality. We can reduce crime, improved graduation rates, save money on special education and other services, and increase the quality of our workforce. More recent reseach on brain development actually shows that we should also be concerned with the education of children under 4 years old. Adult/child interactions impact child development most profoundly between the ages of birth and three years old. All learning is relationship based. Florida needs teachers who understand the powerful impact of their words and interactions on our young children's development. I am proud that our legislative leaders understand that.

[nancy]

We must want the right thing for children. The right thing is degreed teachers. Young children are both the most vulnerable and the most malleable of any other age. Once we know what is right, and as Mrs. Morris states, along with other sources, we do know, we must act. Young children are our bet investment, and we must chart the way to realize that investment.

[Laurie Mykel]

Will parents be able to afford a program that has degreed teachers? I am a Director of a school and teach Pre-K.Most of my children stay fornwrap around care. If the VPK class needed a degree teacher she would only work for the hours that VPK were open ( 3 hours a day) because I would not be able to afford to pay wages for the wrap aroundf care. What teacher with a degree would be willing to work those hours? There would need to be more money for hese teachers and I know that the state won't come up with it. VPK is already not paying enough for CDA teachers. I too would love to see degreed teachers in every classroom but I can't see how it can be a reality.

[Barbara Levesque]

Most PreK classes are in private preschools. The funding available is not there to pay degreed teachers.
If it becomes a law to have only degreed teachers most private schools will not be able to continue to offer quality prek and would not have the resources to pay for degreed teachers. The fall out from this is not enough classes available for children to be enrolled. I believe that there needs to be a long term plan made that takes into account funding for degreed teachers. Children deserve excellent care and education - but the whole picture of how to fund programs needs to be addressed.

[Karen Bonsignori]

Just three words summarize my feelings about degreed teachers in pre-K classrooms: It's about time!

[Mrs. David Morris]

Until the 2006-07 school year a School Readiness program for three and four year old children existed in the Hillsborough County Public Schools. The classrooms were staffed with degreed teachers and aides with CDAs. During this time valuable data was gathered to measure the quality of the classrooms and the success of the children. The classrooms were independently assessed by validators using the Environmental Rating Scale and scored at a very high level compared with classrooms where the teacher was not degreed. Children were assessment using a standarized measure called the LAP-D. The children with degreed teachers made significantly higher gains in all developmental areas than children in classrooms without a degreed teacher. This is documentation on a local level that the education of the teacher impacts the learning of the student. I applaud Governor Crist for standing up for what is right for children, I sincerely hope our legislators have the same courage.

[Jennifer]

As a preschool director, I feel that the field of early education would really loose some valuable teachers if a 4 year degree is required for VPK teachers. I have 9 VPK teachers and all of them have a degree except for one. The teacher without the degree has over 20 years of experience, a CDA, and is one of the best teachers at our school. She is also the teacher that parents request the most. I hope they consider grandfathering in teachers with such experience instead of tossing them aside.

[Lee]

Why would you want to build a complex learning structure on a shaky foundation?

Of course teachers of young children need more education! Not to figure out what 1 + 1 =, but to figure out how and when to teach certain concepts.

The human brain is complex and teachers need to study brain research to better serve their students.

Let's say it together, "Teachers are not babysitters."

Of course, some say the only difference is that babysitters get paid more per hour per child.

[Linda Darin]

Glad the governor agrees with the bachelor degree requirement for pre-k teachers. We have to stop 'short-changing' our kids. After all, they are the future!