EXCERPT FROM: WAFF 48 News
By Bobby Shuttleworth
DECATUR, AL (WAFF) - Some 4-year-old Sommerville Road students are learning at an accelerated rate, but not all children are lucky enough to be here. There are only so many slots available in the Decatur City Schools, and they are chosen by lottery.
"Many children don't have experiences when they come to school and they have not been read to and have different things, so they get to school behind the curve," said Dr. Jeannie Payne.
Dr. Payne says going to a pre-k class would even the playing field, but the proposal would be expensive and there is no money to fund such an endeavor.
"It's a hundred thousand dollars," said Dr. Payne.
Add to that the start up cost of the classroom for another 20-thousand dollars.
Ask any certified Pre-K teacher and they will tell you there are many advantages to being in a class like this one, before going to kindergarten.
"As an old kindergarten teacher, you would not believe the difference. Our children last year left, reading. They knew 50 sight words, knew all their letters. They could write," said Mellissa Wiley.