Letter to the Editor:

Daniel Weintraub has confused quality with quantity. He lauds the governor's proposal to increase spending on the state preschool program without recognizing that what's needed are stronger quality standards and better programs for children.

Preschool teachers in California are paid at half the rate of kindergarten teachers for work that is every bit as important. Research shows that the best results for children are achieved by teachers with bachelor's degrees and special training in early childhood development. Few preschool teachers have both of those important ingredients.

Proposition 82, the Preschool for All Act, would change that. Proposition 82 addresses the real issues affecting our education system: quality and availability of programs that give all children the best possible start in school.

- Edward Condon, Sacramento
Executive Director, California Head Start Assn.