The Political Will to Improve Early Childhood Systems

Having been in education for over seven years I have become knowledgeable in the field of kindergarten and primary grades.  I still have a lot to learn for the early childhood field.  A strategy that I have become more interested in is the use of campaigns to be used for actions, information and benefit to the public.  Campaigns found on Spark Action encourage children to finish school and attend college, participate in organizations such as youth council, and information on the federal budget and early childhood.  These types of tools can be used to reach more people because of the Internet and various media sources.  Utilizing campaigns can gain awareness and support from the public and eventually could raise awareness in politician with enough support.  Making the politicians aware of where the community stands may lead to positive changes in the field of early childhood.  There is an abundance of information being reported on all of these sites; public awareness for what is best for children, yet little changes are being made.  The largest road block comes from lack of funding, but not much is ever done to support a change in that department.  Sure politicians and public figures can talk till they are blue in the face about more money for education and early childhood organizations, but where are the actions that follow?  More organizations and campaigns seem appear, but all in need of more funds.  Why is it that the United States is a nation that puts so little emphasis and money into education and early childhood.  Compared to other nations where education is ranked number one, the majority of monies go into funding education and teachers.  Providing sufficient programs and quality teachers is not the first issue.  The first and biggest issue is funding.  This is what appeals to me in early childhood; advocating for funds for quality programs.  Often the quality programs and professionals are under paid and under funded so the professionals leave the field and the programs deteriorate.  Today I read an article that identified the top 5 degrees that are not worth the cost of the degree.  I was so disgusted to see they were all public service type programs and Early Childhood was identified specifically.  This is what is wrong with our nation and the youth that is going through the public education system.  We are living in a nation that focuses on materials instead of community and education.  It is more important to "look cool" than be smart or prepared.  

  

Supporting Partnerships to Assure Ready Kids Action (SPARK Action). (2010). Retrieved fromhttp://sparkaction.org/

Wells, J (2015) Don't waste your money on these degrees. Retrieved from http://finance.yahoo.com/blogs/top-best-most/don-t-waste-your-money-on-these-college-degrees-151436837.html