mandatory attendance ages at schools

Below are various parts of several emails I sent out on this topic:

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My take on that side of the equation is that most adults who don't have a healthy environment at home are anxious to send the kids out as early as they can to get them out of their hair or for someone else to "deal with them and feed them". Offering programs to fill a need like that is very different from requiring ALL CHILDREN to do something. On the other end requiring school participation until 18 is not dealing with the reality of what is happening in the lives of those who our government would be forcing to comply. There are some that are ready for trade school or college at a younger age than 18 and then some who the current system expels before 18 anyway due to negative behavior. Again good programs to help those who are struggling would do more good than mandating attendance based on age. I also think these programs should not just be government run. Churches need to step up and help as well.

My two cents.

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Offering programs to fill a need is very different from requiring ALL CHILDREN to do something. For the younger children, parents are the best determiner of when a child is ready for school, not the state. For parents who want their children in school early, offer quality programs so they can choose that option, but do not require all little ones to be forced into something they are not ready for. On the other end, requiring school participation until 18 is not dealing with the reality of what is happening in the lives of those whom our government would be forcing to comply. There are some students that are ready for a trade school or college at a younger age than 18 and then others who the current system expels before 18 anyway due to negative behavior. Again, good programs to help those students who are struggling (whether it is with behavior and/or academics) would do more good than mandating attendance based on age. I also think these programs should not just be government run. Churches and community groups need to step up and help as well.

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Thank you for your response. I do pray that you will consider the ramifications of the difference between offering and requiring. Early education might be a great thing to offer, but quite another thing to require. If one looks at the independent studies done on early childhood development, they will find that being with a loving caring adult on a daily basis that the child is attached to is much better developmentally for any child who can obtain this, than any program offered by any institution (no matter how well meaning). By requiring a child to go out at an early age (under the age of 6) you strip this benefit away from a child who may have a parent (or other adult whom they have a healthy daily attachment to) who can provide this. Offering programs to those who don’t have this opportunity to stay in a healthy situation is great, just please don’t take something away from the children who are provided this healthy attachment based alternative by mandating that they attend school (or pre-school).