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"Learning is the best of all wealth; it is easy to carry, thieves cannot steal it, and tyrants cannot seize it; neither fire nor water can destroy it; and far from decreasing, it increases by giving."  - Naladiyar

THE CASE FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION

The Philadelphia Inquirer (June 10, 2003) carried the story "Early Childhood Education Means Learning Success" by Joan L. Benso, president of Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children.  Because the case for early childhood education was so well-stated by Benso, we have elected to reprint her entire story...

"EVERY CHILD should succeed. Every child should learn. But in Pennsylvania today, 43 percent of fifth-graders aren't proficient in reading, and 47 percent aren't proficient in math. They struggle with books and falter over equations. Through no one's fault but our own, they will not move Pennsylvania toward a momentous mandate from the Federal No Child Left Behind Act—that 100 percent of students achieve reading and math proficiency by 2014.  

"The children who don't measure up aren't easily segregated into the so-called worst school districts, either. In nine Pennsylvania school districts out of 10, at least 20 percent of fifth-graders aren't proficient in reading or math.  A fifth-grader who can barely read or do math? How will they read John Steinbeck or learn algebra if they never master Dr. Seuss or the multiplication tables? In fifth grade, students cannot magically absorb the basics of learning that have eluded them until then.

"One of the answers is early childhood education, in proposals now before the state legislature to fund pre-kindergarten, full-day kindergarten and small class sizes in the early grades. The time has come, because Pennsylvania is lagging. Forty-one states fund pre-kindergarten. Twenty-five fund full-day kindergarten. Our education funding formula ranks 47th in the nation.

"But that's not what Pennsylvanians want. State voters want their lawmakers to commit to kids. Three-quarters support pre-kindergarten investments and ending our reliance on local property taxes to fund education. Even in times of economic uncertainty, voters support help for children, but they also want to see their tax dollars spent well, on programs that yield results.

"Quality early childhood education fills that bill. It is research-based, with proven results. We know the best ways to implement it, with voluntary participation, strong parental involvement, community planning, qualified teachers and standards.  Children with quality early childhood education get better grades and test scores, and are likelier to graduate from high school and avoid delinquency.

"We even know who benefits the most—children at risk of failing. We see them in the Annie E. Casey Foundation's 2003 KIDS COUNT Data Book. Revealed within this state-by-state compilation of child well-being (www.kidscount.org) are the one Pennsylvania child in seven living in poverty, the one family in four headed by a single parent, the one child in five whose parents don't have full-time jobs.

"Research tells us that these children are likeliest to struggle and fail in school. Research also tells us that quality early childhood education is a counterweight, effectively balancing learning opportunities against daily obstacles to well-being. And the return we get for our investments is remarkable. Quality early childhood education saves at least $2 for every $1 invested —up to $4 by other credible studies. A Pittsburgh-area study of children at high risk of failure enrolled in quality early childhood education found that, when they entered school, fewer than 2 percent were placed in special education or held back a grade in districts where special education and retention rates exceeded 20 percent.

"Would you choose to look at a group of 4-year-olds and pick the ones destined to fail? Of course not. And yet, in a sense that's both theoretical and tangible, Pennsylvania is doing just that. We are sending some children down an educational path while shuttling others into kindergarten ill-prepared for learning.

"That's why legislators have been among the strongest supporters of pre-kindergarten in recent years. They see the long-term benefits in school success and in economic development, with a fully prepared workforce.  Right now, the opportunity is here to make the commitment. Otherwise, we are looking at more fallow years without a state investment in early childhood education.

"We must guide our children to success, and I am convinced we will. With quality early childhood education, we can be heroes to our children by assuring them a rich learning experience before they enter school, and by building a learning foundation that lasts for life."

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