LETERS: PAT GIVES VALUABLE EARLY LEARNING HELP

To the editor:

I would like to respond to a Speak Out comment that appeared recently in your newspaper concerning a local Parents as Teachers program. I would like to inform the caller that the Parents as Teachers program is mandated by Senate Bill 658, which means all school must provide this free and voluntary service to parents of children from birth to age 3. The caller must be unaware that the PAT programs generate money for the local school districts by the number of families served, so chances are a school district will not consider abandoning the program.

The PAT program is the oldest home-visiting program in existence. Ongoing studies by independent research firms confirm children who receive PAT services show greater scores on standardized tests than those who have not received PAT services. Why are school districts and the Legislature willing to fund this program? Because it works. A vast amount of learning takes place between birth and age 3. A little money spent at this time can mean the difference in much money being spent in remediation in later school years.

NANCY HALE

Region E Coordinator

Missouri Parents as Teachers

Chaffee