Early learning: The smart investment

The third rail of education politics is “How can we close the achievement gap?”

Whether you call it an achievement gap or a poverty gap or an opportunity gap, far too many children, predominantly poor and children of color, fall behind.

What is the answer?

More money? Smaller classes? Discipline and structure?  Revised teacher evaluations? School choice? The debate can go on and on.

But let’s ask a different and equally important question - “What must we do to make sure that the gap is not created in the first place?”

Two words: Early Learning.

When it comes to education, it may sound simplistic but an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

We know that every $1 invested in high-quality early learning programs can save $7 because fewer students are held back or get involved in crime. More students graduate from high school and college, earn higher salaries, and pay more taxes.

In California, half of all low-income children do not have access to State Preschool or the Head Start program.

Yes, ironically, we dedicate a guaranteed stream of money to support our prisons but fail to make a smart investment in early learning.

And early learning is a smart investment.

·      Eighty percent of a child's brain development occurs by age three and ninety percent by age five.  

·      Infants, toddlers, and preschoolers can develop pre-literacy and early math skills as well as important learning skills: paying attention, managing emotions and completing tasks.  

·      Over 100 studies in the U.S. show that quality preschool and early learning significantly benefits children’s school success.  

·      Children in poverty whose parents provide an engaging learning environment are better prepared for school.  

In countries and states that have made early childhood learning a priority, children do better in school. So, what can we do?

Start early. Invest in our youngest children.

California State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson says: “We must commit ourselves to rebuilding California's early learning system—which suffered nearly $1 billion in cuts over the past few years—with this budget and in budgets to come."  

Budgets are a reflection of our values. If we are really serious about helping all our children, our state budget needs that ounce of prevention: a meaningful investment in early learning.