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Uploaded: Friday, May 11, 2012, 6:55 AM
Updated: Monday, May 14, 2012, 7:23 AM
Torlakson opposes cuts to child care, early learning programs
62,000 at risk of losing access to early childhood programs, he warns
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State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson opposes state budget cuts to child care and early learning programs.
Speaking at City College of San Francisco, Torlakson warned that some 62,000 children statewide are at risk of losing access to early childhood programs like CCSF's child care and development centers because of $500 million in proposed cuts to such programs in this year's
state budget.
According to the California Department of Education, such programs have already been cut by nearly $700 million over the past four years.
The cumulative impact of the cuts represents a 42 percent loss in state funding for childcare since 2008, according to the education department.
In remarks made before the Senate Budget and Fiscal Review committee in March, Torlakson said the administration's proposal would effectively begin dismantling the state's child care system and offers no cost savings.
CCSF's network of child care centers serve approximately 6,000
students, according to the college's Child Development Department Chair
Kathleen White.
CCSF board of trustees president John Rizzo said the cuts to child development programs, which can help preschoolers get a jump on their education, are just as bad as cuts to educational programs for older students and adults.
Torlakson echoed King's comment, noting that the early education programs are one piece of an educational continuum that spans preschool
education through higher education and beyond.
"Breaking the continuum is a lost opportunity," Torlakson said.
Torlakson is encouraging California residents to write letters and emails to Gov. Jerry Brown in opposition to the cuts and taking a stand for
the future.
Referring to toddlers he observed Wednesday morning on a tour of the child care facility at CCSF's Mission Campus, he said the youngsters have a voracious appetite for knowledge and are "just full of life."Erika Heidecker, Bay City News — Bay City News Service Are you receiving Express, our free daily e-mail edition? See a sample and sign-up for Express.
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Posted by Nomad, a resident of the Another Pleasanton neighborhood neighborhood, on May 13, 2012 at 8:46 am Mr. Torlakson offers nothing on how to resolve the $16 B current year deficit, much less the accumulated debt and unfunded liabilities. Just "don't reduce spending here".
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Posted by shocked , a resident of the Amador Estates neighborhood, on May 13, 2012 at 9:35 am A Democrat who doesn't want government funds cut? I am SHOCKED! (not).
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Posted by Tennessee Jed, a resident of the Jensen Tract neighborhood, on May 13, 2012 at 9:37 am $16 billion deficit? Not really the whole picture.
Total of all debt, including unfunded expenditures is $361 billion.
Remember, the $16b is for this year only.
Web Link
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Posted by Kathleen, a member of the Harvest Park Middle School community, on May 13, 2012 at 3:28 pm Until teachers realize they're paying more for union dues and higher taxes to pay themselves than they are making money from the teacher ponzi scheme, the children will be forced to suffer.
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Posted by curious, a resident of the Another Pleasanton neighborhood neighborhood, on May 13, 2012 at 5:57 pm Why is the government paying for childcare and preschool education? I thought parents did that and it's a cost you have to consider when having children. We certainly did.
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Posted by Nomad, a resident of the Another Pleasanton neighborhood neighborhood, on May 13, 2012 at 8:24 pm Because CA is a Nanny State?
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