The Virginian-Pilot
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Gov. Bob McDonnell has decided not to pursue $60 million in federal early education funds at the recommendation of the state superintendent of public instruction.
Wednesday marked the deadline for states to apply for the Race to the Top - Early Learning Challenge, a joint effort of the U.S. education and health and human services departments.
The competition is aimed at ensuring children - especially those with disabilities or other challenges - are prepared for kindergarten. Grants range from $50 million to $100 million. Virginia was eligible for as much as $60 million.
A spokeswoman for the governor's office confirmed Virginia's decision not to apply but referred more detailed questions to state Department of Education spokesman Charles Pyle.
McDonnell and state Superintendent of Public Instruction Patricia Wright had concerns about establishing unfunded mandates and extending the regulatory reach of the state, Pyle said Wednesday. For example, developing a more comprehensive kindergarten assessment would require local administration, impose costs on school divisions, and end up as an unfunded mandate estimated at $2 million to $5 million, Pyle said.
Expanding the Virginia Star Quality Initiative, a voluntary rating system for preschools and child-care centers, to include all programs and linking it to state child care licensing would "amount to an expansion of the reach of regulation in Virginia," Pyle said.
"In addition to adding mandates to licensed and publicly funded child care programs," Wright wrote to state Secretary of Education Laura Fornash, "the cost of this requirement would likely be passed on to private providers and families when grant funds are no longer available."
State Board of Education member Rob Krupicka said Wednesday that he was disappointed by the decision. Believing Virginia had a strong shot at the money, he had publicly encouraged the state to apply.
"My view is that the requirements are very consistent with initiatives Virginia has already talked about for a number of years," Krupicka said.
The Washington-based New America Foundation, a nonprofit public policy institute, earlier this year deemed Virginia a contender for an early learning Race to the Top grant.
Hattie Brown Garrow, (757) 222-5562, hattie.brown@pilotonline.com
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Wise choice Bob
We don't need the aggravation and the strings attached to this funding. And for sure it will become an unfunded mandate.
Shortsighted state government
Our Virginia leaders are being extremely short sighted by refusing federal funding to aid in the social and intellectual development of our young children. It has been well documented for over 35 years that for each dollar spent on preschool interventions there is a savings of between $7 and $11. So the $60 million that our governor rejected will cost the state up to $660 million in the future. The governor of Ohio and head of the National Republican Governors Association, George Voinovich implemented a statewide “Birth-To-Three” initiative resulting in saving to that state in the millions. The only winner in our scenario appear to be the private prison companies that will serve those that we are neglecting. Dr. C. Rick Ellis, Ed.D.
Help me understand this...
They want to give the Commonweath $60 million and the cost to the localities is $5 million. No one in the Governor's office can figure out how to make this work to our benefit? We are doomed.
Refreshing
That the Governor has finally seen the light about "unfunded mandates" now maybe he'll work to get the State to fund all the previously unfunded mandates the state has passed down to the localities
Investing in the future
Everyone supposedly worries about mortgaging our children's future. This kind of action helps guarantee they won't be able to pay for it.
Many of the major problems
Many of the major problems with our education system are a result of too much government interference. Acceptance of this type of funding is the first step to more red tape a bureaucratic garbage.
Say What?
Education IS a primary responsibility of the GOVERNMENT. How can you consider providing $60 million as "government interference"? Please tell us you don't vote...
Uh...
I make $50 an hour mowing lawns on the side and $60 an hour as a consultant. I dropped out in the 11th grade. A lack of education does not keep someone from making money, laziness does.
Wow.
That's straight out of the 8th century. I applaud your abiity to get $50 an hour, but I pray you're not passing this point of view to your kids.
Mowing lawns is one thing.
But the number of people willing and/or able to pay $50/hour for totally unskilled labor is, I would guess, far too few to be a real global solution.
As to your statement about education not being necessary combined with your claim of commanding $60/hour for consulting - what is wrong with this picture? My guess is that you have been educated - somehow - past the 11th grade level - at least in the area on which you consult. Otherwise you would not command the kind of fees that you do.