>

Providing education to children is literally about the kids, what are you complaining about?
A great idea for Michigan and one that needs to be adopted nation wide. Childcare is especially difficult to secure for low wage earners and the cost is a major reason why younger generations are waiting longer to have kids or opting out altogether. >


low wage earners 

Not just low wage earners but middle class working parents. Childcare is literally as much as a starting salary so two middle class working parents have to make a choice of whether one of them leaves the workforce for a few years or work and basically pay off childcare. 
So, A). Leave the workspace and never likely get your old position and career path again (4-5 year work gap is a big deal) or B). Continue working and come out net neutral. >

I quit working to care for my kids once we had 2 because it was almost as much as my salary. Now I've got a 7 year gap, as I tend to leave out part time jobs I had for a few months here and there for extra cash. It's been so long that my degree doesn't carry a ton of weight, especially with little to no work experience to pair with it. 
Our district has a free prek program that was a seriously appreciated, especially with my oldest. He had early intervention for speech but prek really helped him catch up with his peers. >

I didn't have a good job nor was I on any meaningful career path, so it really made no sense to stick it out. Yeah I missed out on a career in my 20s and early 30s but I'm not mad about it, I spent time with my kids that so many do not get. I'd pick the same path again if given the choice. >

Put that on your resume. You've shown time management, planning, crisis intervention,etc. >

With the economy taking a shit all over middle and lower class Michiganders, this is a huge benefit for us. Thanks Big Gretch. >

This story is like a rainbow in the dark >

The ghost of Ronnie James Dio enters the chat...... >

Huge step forward for Michigan if this happens. We need this in Minnesota too! >

Huge move, we need to give all kids a running start at success and this is a great way.  I had kids in pre-K and the extra year made a big difference. >

Studies are mixed as to the effectiveness of pre K on learning outcomes, but as a form of parental assistance it’s very valuable. >

Our pediatrician told us our kid needs to be socializing with other kids on a daily basis by 4.  In our situation, pre-k is really the most viable option to do this. >

That sounds right. There are benefits in later life incarceration rates - preK reduces that. Socialization sounds like a factor in that. It just hasn’t shown a clear improvements in test scores. Test scores are a narrow metric for well being of course. >

They’re also a narrow metric for learning outcomes, no? >

All kids need care and parents need to work. I think it's way overdue that we offer free public daycare for any parent that wants it. Hopefully we can get our act together in my lifetime and provide this as a society. >

A governor focused on improving life. >

This is exactly what democrats need to be doing. Dealing with real world issues while republicans talk about whatever silly shit they’re talking about this week. >

I taught at a preschool, elementary and High School. I can tell you that you are just plain wrong if you don’t think preschool is important enough to be publicly funded.
Brain research alone seals the deal. Your brain makes more neural connections in the first five years than it does for the rest of your life. It starts pruning branches that don’t get used around age 7. 
The best teaching is going to be one on one interactions that are focused on learning. Your parent looking you in the eye talking about the world you are exploring is best, as one on one for hours a day with someone who genuinely cares is impossible to reproduce in schools. However….
It will break your heart to see the difference between Kindergarteners who are raised by lowest cost babysitting and those who have engaged parents and preschool. Literally on what we say is their first day of school, they are way behind. 
Smart kids and those with stable homes catch up in 2-3 years, but ones with parents working two jobs, or parents who don’t give a shit about education, start behind and stay behind.
Lastly….if we paid for daycare, businesses would have less people miss work, less stressed parents and our communities would have smarter kids. Win. Win. Win.
TLDR: Universal Pre K is a no brainer and you basically have to be uninformed to oppose it. >

"COMMUNISM!! THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO STOP THIS ARABIC NUMBERS INDOCTRINATION!!  -small government Republican, eight states away, 68 years old >

It would probably go over better if school districts weren’t codifying the keeping information about children from their parents (however well intentioned and necessary this policy is in some cases, I can understand why some parents find it inappropriate) >

This is the best tl;dr I could make, original reduced by 79%. (I'm a bot)


LANSING, Mich. - Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is expected to announce a plan during her State of the State speech Wednesday to provide prekindergarten education for all 4-year-olds in Michigan in an attempt to help families with rising costs.
The full "Lowering MI Costs" proposal Whitmer plans to unveil during her State of the State speech in the Michigan House chambers - Whitmer's first in person since the 2020 pandemic outbreak - also will include a previously announced rollback of the retirement tax and a significant increase of the state's earned income tax credit.
Whitmer sat with Michigan residents at the event to discuss ways inflation is impacting them.


Extended Summary | FAQ | Feedback | Top keywords: Whitmer^#1 State^#2 tax^#3 plan^#4 Michigan^#5 >

I hope Whitmer 2024 happens. >

She has said no thanks for the time being, but we can continue to hope for a 2028. I would hate to say goodbye to her as governor early. I don’t mind her having a focus on Michigan. >

True and fair. I do see an opportunity though with MI government being solidly blue, at least for now. >

For sure! It will hopefully be an exciting time to be in the mitten. I work in education and after seeing the bills proposed in Indiana and North Dakota in the first legislative session, I can say there is a sigh of relief that we are blue. I am not a fan of the idea of being held legally liable for having a book about the gays /s >

I'm from America's high five originally and I miss it. TN is a shithole. >

Democrats are boosting education while republicans are trying to run it into the ground. If you’re conservative and can’t see what they’re doing (less intelligence makes it easier to control you), then you are the sheep… >

Not just trying; succeeding.
Betsy DeVos is a monster of Michigan's making. >

Doing something to actually help children? The right will lose their mind about this idea to indoctrinate these 4 year olds. >

She’s gonna lose a lot of support from 4-year-old voters, who insist they can stay home on their own watching Cocomelon instead. >

This chick rules. 
Just to be clear the school to prison pipeline begins before children ever start school. Kids from more affluent homes go to preschool, enter a learning environment earlier, may go to pre-k, and hit the ground running in kindergarten. 
Children who go straight from home to kindergarten because their parents can’t afford preschool or pre-k start kindergarten at a disadvantage to their peers. 
Poor children in America are discriminated against from before they can read and write. Funding pre-k for all means giving kids an equal playing field and the best chance for success. >

There’s also this. Hard to keep up in the later grades if you can’t read. >

Cue the false outrage from the residents of the southern state in the north. >

We have this and free meals in California and it’s been a huge boon. 
My daughter started pre-K this year and the amount she’s already learning is insane. This is a fantastic program and makes a huge difference. >

I'm so glad I live here.  I know some parents that will be super happy about this if it happens in the next few years. 
We really are miles ahead of places like Texas when it comes to education, availability of social services, and healthcare. >

Cue the right wing screaming about indoctrination.
How DARE they teach the toddlers their alphabet, how to listen to a story, how to count to 20, and how to share their toys. >

An educated citizenry breeds a healthy democracy! >

I haven't lived in Michigan for 20 years, but am I wrong that she seems like potential presidential material? I'm basing this on what I've seen from afar the last few years, but I've been impressed with her and I haven't heard the usual grumblings I hear from some folks back in Michigan that I'd expect to hear about a Democratic governor. >

Im a old lib late gen x Texas filly. 
I would love to see her run as president. She would get my vote >

Admittedly I haven't paid super close attention since I'm not in Michigan, but I love what I've seen from her as well. >

If we provide early education to children they may grow up to be intelligent, insightful adults. The GOP will not stand for this. >

What's next... free school lunches? Free Lamborghinis? When I was 4 I worked all day in the coal mines, and I'll be COUGH damned if these kids COUGH are gonna get something for COUGH free! >

Michgander here. My governor is the best!!!! >

We’ve had universal pre-k next door in Ontario since at least the 80s, hope they join the party even if they’re 40 years late. >

I am Canadian and was also just thinking this literal same thing. It is super common here to go to pre K. In my province you pay for it but it’s like $100/ month for  half days (which again, would be wayyyy cheaper than childcare if it was a cost comparison issue). >

If this passes, it would be a big nudge for people looking for where to live/work. If you have two kids in Pre-k, this would relieve a huge financial burden from the family. >

Positive news is so weird. >

Big gretch!!! >

I’m low key kind of hoping she runs for president in 2024. >

You should do this. Having 3- and 4-k available has been game-changing for us in New York. >

I’m lucky that I was able to go to preschool. I can see looking back it was so beneficial to me. 
I hope we can one day have a country that can be proud of its public education system >

Meanwhile Oklahoma introduced a bill to stop receiving Federal funding for education.  Yes - a broke ass State refusing $$$ for education while they are in the very bottom tier for EDUCATION. >

Anyone who opposes this is has no good intentions for the future of society. >

Do it. It was the universal Pre-K was one of the best benefits we had when we were living in NYC with young kids >

Pre-K is one of the biggest factors of future success in education. Universal Pre-K is SUCH a good idea that it cannot be overstated. >

Now feed them lunch! >

Oh look the Dems don't do anything for the working class.
/s
So tired of both side bullshit. >

Is it me or is Whitmer building a case to become a decent presidential candidate? She probably wouldn’t be able to match the flare of someone like Gavin Newsom who has done great at pushing back against GOP nonsense, but she quietly is able to get things done and comes off as someone who is humble and is really working for the people every time I hear something about her. >

I could see VP. >

I live in Ontario and my kids had full day kindergarten starting at 4. As a child this wasn’t a thing. My kids are hands down better off when it comes to reading and basic math by grade 1 than my brothers and I were at the same age. 
I hope This gets passed. >

As our youngest turns five I would of course expect this law to pass because this is our luck. With that said I will be happy to see people take advantage of the savings this will provide. We’ve spent 12k + each year for the past 7 years and after our mortgage it has been our biggest expense. This will be huge for many families and  look forward to seeing it pass. >

I voted against her in the 2018 primary, but I've been pretty happy with the job Whitmer has done. This would be awesome to implement. >

The first 5 years of development are the most important. Universal childcare is needed and long overdue. >

It would be huge. My 4 year old was a bit behind the 8 ball and with a few months to go Pre K totally turned him around. Went from not being able to hold a pencil to writing his full name and other words in months. Wish we did it for my oldest. >

next step more paid maternity leave! for both parents! >

Pre-K should start at 0 >

I worked in childcare for a decade until about 5 years ago. My kids are school aged now, but I am concerned about a few things. How will they find adequate staffing for preschools? There is already a shortage of ECE teachers. Is the plan to open new preschools or reimburse small childcare businesses? If the latter - at what rate? Because preschool student to staff ratios are higher than toddler and infant ratios, preschool tuition is often used to offset the cost of providing toddler and infant programs. If you take preschool programs away from small businesses, you're going to essentially eliminate infant and toddler programs. 
None of the articles I've read addressed these issues. And although I am a proponent of every family having access to a quality preschool program (huge fan of the Success by 6 Initiative), I hope we are considering the current small providers who've been struggling to make ends meet for years. >

Democrats truly hate the USA.
edit: /s, Some pre-K probably would have solved this puzzle for you. >

How do you figure? >

Well look at this one, trying to improve the lives of her constituents.
It's sarcasm. Didn't figure the /s was required but .. I was wrong. >

Op didn't attend Pre-K. If they had, maybe they would've got the joke >

BGE is well appreciated. Can she run for a 3rd term? >

OK now do the energy profiteering. >

for the love of God this >

are waiting longer to have kids or opting out altogether. >

This sounds like a good policy but I would argue that Prk should start at age 3 and should either be subsidize and/or free. >

Sending our kids off to school even younger is not the answer. It’s only treating a symptom of larger problem and simultaneously a problem itself. >

Wealthy kids go to preschool and pre-k. What are you talking about? This gives an opportunity for POOR kids to start school at the same time as their wealthier peers. >

I’m talking about our broken society. Parents don’t have the resources to raise their own kids.  The GROSS inequality of wealth distribution. Corporations collect record profits while workers get poorer & poorer. Looking to broken systems to fix the problems that the broken system (well it’s not broken for the 1%) is not going to work. Teachers are underpaid and leaving their profession in droves…300,000 last year. Strangers raising our kids is bad. Putting your 6 week old in day care b/c mom has to work is a problem. What do our kids even learn in school? To become an obedient clock punching or get ahead by exploiting. Sure this will help poor kids as you put it, but this is tossing us a bone. >

You think this is about the kids? Lmao