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Montana’s commitment to education: dumb and dumber

Montana’s Constitution, Article X, requires the legislature to establish a system of free quality public elementary and secondary schools, so as to develop the "full educational potential" of its youth.

So, with that directive on the books since 1972, why is Montana ranked 30th in the nation in educating its youth? Here’s the report card: C- for K-12 achievement; C- for school finance; C+ for chance of success; and C- for early education; low enrollment in early childhood programs; stagnant test scores; and unequal state spending. Indeed, Montana scored at rock bottom for preschool enrollment rates – not surprising since the legislature has seen fit not to fund public preschool.

In fairness, there are a few bright spots – Montana students scored above average in reading and math; the state funds kindergarten; and participation in Head Start is high – but those glimmers aren’t enough to pull Montana’s GPA above a below-average 1.67.

That’s a report card we should all be ashamed of.

JAMES C. NELSON

Full Opinion: http://missoulian.com/news/opinion/columnists/mt-s-commitment-to-education-dumb-and-dumber/article_2eb48de2-050e-5501-9e6f-d7a760c15cca.html

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MISSOULIAN EDITORIAL: Universal pre-K offers path to better grades http://www.matr.net/article-64070.html

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