To the Editor:
Your recent article “Study Casts Fresh Doubts on Durability of Pre-K Gains” on a new study of Tennessee prekindergarten results raises many of the same issues that have plagued Head Start.
By 3rd grade, gains made in either Head Start or the Tennessee pre-K program have disappeared. The only thing that hasn’t disappeared for the students who participated in these programs is the handicap created by living in poverty.
To think that simply catching students up before they get to kindergarten solves the “gaps” issue forever is nonsensical. Poverty plagues students throughout their schooling. Unless supports are provided, as long as the poverty exists, these students will continually fall behind their peers.
Joseph Crowley
Executive Director
Rhode Island Association of School Principals
Providence, R.I.
