Push preschool
Editorial
Lowell Sun, July 25, 2007

There is little doubt that money invested in early childhood education is money well-spent. Statistics show that for every dollar expended on preschool, Massachusetts eventually gets a return of $1.18.

It's the eventually part that concerns taxpayers. The cash has to be dedicated to early childhood education long before the economic rewards are reaped.

But isn't that true for any investment? Primary education, secondary education, business opportunities -- they all take time and money before achieving success.

And let's consider some of the facts of early childhood education. Children who participate in such programs:

* Are 40 percent less likely to repeat a grade.

* Are 30 percent more likely to graduate from high school and are more than twice as likely to go to college.

* Develop better language skills, score higher on readiness tests and have fewer behavioral problems when they enter school.

* Are much less likely to require special education.

* Are significantly less likely to break the law and be incarcerated.

* As adults, have higher median annual incomes and are more likely to own their own homes.

There are 60,000 jobs in this state that can't be filled because no one is appropriately trained for them. That's why so many business leaders, such as Verizon, support early childhood education. They realize that developing a love of learning early in life leads to a better educated, more motivated workforce. It helps to ensure an adequate supply of productive and capable workers.

The Early Childhood Education for All campaign, a coalition of leaders from business, education, labor, religion, health care and philanthropy are striving to get Bay State politicians to understand the importance of preschool. Other states, such as Florida, Georgia, New Jersey, New York and North Carolina are doing far more for their youngest students than Massachusetts. We must progress or we will lose our economic and educational edge.

Preschool is a powerful tool. It helps to protect children against later problems at school and work, and it guides them toward a brighter future.