Letter: Keep an eye on upcoming school bills

Education in California is the buzz these days. There is Assembly Bill 1444 requiring mandatory kindergarten. The other Senate Bill 837 provides 4-year-olds access to public school. Will these laws improve our states academic performance?

State Assemblywoman Joan Buchanan introduced AB 1444 supported by the California Teachers Union. This bill if passed will require mandatory kindergarten. There will now be 13 years of schooling rather than the current 12 years. The requirements of AB 1444 would apply to all pupils in both public and private schools, including home schools. If you are in disagreement with the bill then please contact Assemblyman Mike Gatto, who chairs the committee on this bill.

The SB 837 known as Kindergarten Readiness Act of 2014 will provide optional preschool to all 4-year-olds in the public school system. In the future this could include 2- and 3-year-olds. Then it could become mandatory.

The California Teachers Assn. is in support of these bills. It will add dues-paying jobs to help boost its membership and replenish it’s coffers. Are these laws necessary given that other countries like Finland outperform us academically while starting their children at an older age in school?

Denise Soto
La Cañada Flintridge