Texas lawmakers are unfortunately considering a government-run universal pre-kindergarten bill this week. The folks at Texas Insider explain why this is a bad idea.

The Texas House recently got a first reading of House Bill 130, authored by Reps. Patrick, Eissler, Anchia, Pitts and Thompson.  HB 130 calls for “an enhanced full-day kindergarten program provided by public school districts in conjunction with community providers.”  A companion bill, SB 21, has been filed in the Senate by Zaffirini. 

The Austin American Statesman reported that HB 130 will cost an additional $390 million in Fiscal Year 2010-2011, to increase to $584.7 million in Fiscal Year 2012-13.  The bill requires that full-day pre-k programs be offered and also stipulates a partnership with Head Start and private providers, as well as class-size limits, teacher certification and an approved curriculum.

A 2006 study by the Texas Public Policy Foundation reported that approximately 50% of four-year-olds participate in a state-funded pre-k or special education program, 11% participate in Head Start and 35% attend a private pre-k program.  The report went on to add that a 2005 study by Stanford-UC Berkeley showed that center-based preschool has a negative effect on social skills, particularly for low-income students.

These types of government-run "universal pre-k" schemes are an intrusion into more of our lives, and a huge cost to the taxpayers. Hopefully common sense will return to the Texas legislature, and lawmakers will reject this bill in both legislative houses.