Momentum grows for solid early education
It can have a major impact on young learners — in school and later in life.
The Brockton Enterprise, Op-Ed by Susan Blaney, September 4, 2008

Our young children are learning all the time, frequently asking questions and absorbing new information. In fact, children’s brains grow more rapidly in their first five years than at any other subsequent period. Yet, when our children are learning the most, our state and nation are investing the least in their education.

High-quality early education has a lifetime impact on young learners – it is a proven strategy for improving school performance and promoting lasting success among children in school and later in life. Recognizing this, Governor Deval Patrick and the Massachusetts Legislature have advanced historic policy initiatives prioritizing young children and their high-quality early education.

First, the Legislature unanimously passed and Governor Patrick signed into law landmark legislation formally establishing the Massachusetts Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK) Program in statute, subject to appropriation. The law builds on and further defines important early education programs that the Department of Early Education and Care has been developing and implementing since its creation three years ago.

Second, the Governor —along with State Senator Robert Creedon and State Representative Thomas Kennedy—voted to increase funding for UPK to $12.14 million in this year’s state budget, a 70% increase in funding over last year. Amidst difficult economic times, this is a true testament to the evidence-based success of high-quality early education. Research has demonstrated that high-quality early education yields a 16 percent return on every dollar invested. Increased investments are particularly meaningful to the children and families at the Old Colony YMCA, a UPK grant recipient. The UPK grants—which are available to programs that meet quality standards—have allowed our program to better serve children by increasing family engagement, helping with transitions to kindergarten, providing professional development for our teachers, and increasing salaries to reduce staff turnover and thus providing a better learning environment.

Third, Governor Patrick included high-quality early education as a cornerstone of the “Education Action Agenda”—his Administration’s plan for the next phase of education reform in Massachusetts. This agenda prioritizes voluntary, high-quality pre-kindergarten for all children and families and full-day kindergarten beginning in high-needs districts.

As the Childcare Director at the Old Colony YMCA, I know firsthand how high-quality early education can help children and families thrive. Studies have shown that low-income children who have access to high-quality early education are 40 percent less likely to need special education services or be held back a grade, 30 percent more likely to graduate from high school, and twice as likely to go to college, and I have witnessed first-hand the tremendous benefits for students involved in high-quality early learning experiences. If we are truly going to close the achievement gap in Massachusetts and help ensure that all children succeed in school and in life, then providing voluntary, high-quality universal pre-kindergarten for our children is the best place to start.

I thank Governor Patrick and our state legislators for their commitment to building a comprehensive system of high-quality early education where every child has the opportunity to learn and succeed. By investing in young children today, we are taking strong steps toward ensuring a better future for Massachusetts tomorrow.

Susan Blaney is the Childcare Director at the Old Colony YMCA, a Universal Pre-Kindergarten grant recipient located in Brockton.