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Keep state's commitment to young children

By Paul O'Brien and Mara Aspinall / Guest Columnists
Friday, June 25, 2004

In its FY 2005 budget, the Legislature has made an historic commitment to the commonwealth's young children and families by approving a plan that lays the foundation for universal, high-quality early education and care. As business leaders, and co-chairs of the Early Education for All Campaign, we can think of no better public investment. We are extremely grateful for the Legislature's leadership, support, and commitment to the state's young children, and urge Gov. Romney to sign this proposal into law.

Studies have shown that every $1 invested in a child's early education can return more than $7 to society in increased earnings for participants and reduced costs on special education, welfare dependency and crime. Early childhood education is an investment that is good for children, communities and the economy.

The Early Education for All Campaign -- a coalition of 42 leaders from business, labor, religion, health care, education, early childhood and philanthropy, working in partnership with grassroots' leaders and parents -- shares the Legislature's vision of making high-quality preschool education available to every Massachusetts child, delivered through the current mix of public and private programs.

To achieve this goal, there are two immediate challenges: First, the fragmented state level early education and care delivery system must be made more efficient to enable effective administration and monitoring of our publicly-funded early childhood programs. Currently, several governing agencies administer multiple programs with different regulations, reporting requirements and standards. This is a disservice to children, families, providers and taxpayers -- and must be reformed.

Second, the education, training and compensation levels of early educators must be upgraded to ensure the type of high-quality programming necessary to help children enter school ready to succeed. In fact, low wages, inadequate educational opportunities and poor working conditions have led to annual turnover rates estimated at nearly 30 percent among Massachusetts' early educators, compromising quality for children. This is not only an inefficient way to run any business, but has a negative impact on a child's healthy development.

In its FY05 budget, the Legislature thoughtfully tackles these challenges. It recognizes the fiscal realities facing the state by focusing on building a streamlined state infrastructure and conducting the necessary planning to support future investment. A new house cannot be built without first pouring a solid foundation.

Ten years ago, as Massachusetts was beginning to rebound from its last economic recession, state government made an important commitment to our children, our economy and our future by beginning the implementation of the landmark Education Reform Act. It is now time to build upon this success and complete the "unfinished element of education reform" -- early childhood education.

With the careful and thoughtful work of the Legislature, the state is now poised to move forward to act on the clear scientific evidence and political will to meet the pressing early education and care needs of the commonwealth's young children and families. We urge Gov. Romney to support the Legislature's proposal, and help to build the foundation for "early education for all."

Paul O'Brien is the President of The O'Brien Group. Mara Aspinall is President of Genzyme Genetics.

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