We need to lay a solid foundation in early education

By Rod Hsiao

An average of 40% of second graders in San Mateo County are not proficient in math and English. Specific solutions must be identified to provide children with the basics

Unfortunately, the STAR student performance results from the spring 2006 showed that an average of 39% of our county's 2nd-graders are not proficient in English and math for their grade level--and in some schools, 60-70% of the 2nd-graders are not performing at grade level.

I hope to use my knowledge and experience from serving on the First 5 Commission to help improve early education for all children by targeting children in underperforming districts with low Academic Performance Index (API) scores. The County currently administers the Preschool for All Program, making affordable preschool available in targeted communities. I would look at why these children are not doing well, and then depending on the cause, I would explore providing more English language training, equipping parents and teachers with early literacy educational materials, or other solutions to help prepare children for school.