The first year of school in America, knownas kindergarten, usually begins between the ages of five and six. Among richcountries such a late start is very strange. President Obama believes it is aneconomic and social problem; his education secretary goes as far as to say thatit is "morally wrong". This statement has some support, as it isclear from research into vocabulary that youngsters from poor families enterkindergarten well behind those from rich families—a disadvantage that usually lasts a lifetime. Childrenfrom households on welfare knew 525 words by the age of three, while thechildren of professionals had mastered 1,116.
Pre-school can help close this gap. Soin a speech last month, Mr. Obama called for a partnership between the federalgovernment and the states to expand it to every American child. It later becameknown that "every" meant those who come from families with incomes ofup to 200% above the poverty line—equal to an income of $47,000 for a family of four.
Some critics say that sending childrento school at the age of four does not work. The evidence suggests otherwise.For example, on March 20th new results were announced from a study of 9-to-l1.year.olds in New Jersey.This report found that disadvantaged children who had attended pre-school hadbetter literacy, language, mathsand science skills. And two years of pre-kindergarten were better than one.
Some studies also follow the effects of earlylearning over lifetimes, such as its effect on crime rates and other factorsthat may eventually burden society. Critics have singled out a governmentscheme called Head Start, created in 1965, which provides poor households witha range of services including school-based early education.
我在百度翻译也看到了,但结果不尽人意.很多地方没有翻译过来
追答我把翻不出来的,也翻了呀