Top of the morning

It was just a matter of time. The massive test prep industry has reached into child care centers and playgrounds as parents in New York are now enrolling their three-and-four-year olds in boot camp tutoring sessions to help them do better on the tests used to decide which kids are admitted to gifted and talented programs.

The New York Times reported recently that some parents are shelling out $1,000 or more to get their kids ready for the entrance exams.

The story quotes one tutor hired to help the three-year-olds prepare.

If their mind isn’t keyed into listening, the whole question can fly over their heads. Some kids can do well without preparation, but children who are familiar have an edge. From an equity perspective, it’s ridiculous.

Remind me again how every child has the same opporutunity to succeed. At least we ought to change the name of the program to academically gifted, talented, and wealthy.