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Pressing need: Preschool education for all

In its fiscal 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 high quality early education and care for all preschool-age children.

As a business leader, and trustee of the Irene E. and George A. Davis Foundation, I can think of no better public investment. In fact, longitudinal studies of high-quality preschool programs for at-risk children show that every dollar invested in such a program yields savings to taxpayers of more than $7.

The need in Springfield is pressing: Today, there are approximately 14,000 children under the age of 6. Close to 40 percent - more than 2,600 children - live below the federal poverty line.

To address this need, the Davis Foundation has embarked on a citywide initiative called "Cherish Every Child" (CHECH), with the goal of improving the lives of children, birth through age 8 and the lives of their families.

One of CHECH's goals is to ensure high-quality early education for all children. But that requires not only local efforts to expand and enhance supports for young children and families but also a statewide, long-term vision and commitment to all children and families.

Statewide, the Davis Foundation is supporting 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 state policymakers to make high-quality early childhood education available to every Massachusetts child.

To achieve this goal, there are two immediate challenges: First, the fragmented 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.

Research demonstrates that the education levels of preschool teachers and providers, as well as their specialized training, directly relates to the positive learning and development of children.

Yet, according to research conducted by CHECH's Workforce Development Working Group, more than half of Springfield's early childhood workforce has only high school diplomas or general equivalency diplomas as their highest level of education.

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 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.

Specifically, the Legislature's plan for early education and care includes:

The creation of a consolidated, independent Department of Early Education and Care, to streamline state administration, eliminate duplication and improve coordination with the Boards of Education and Higher Education to foster an education continuum to ensure optimal outcomes for children, families and taxpayers;

A program of voluntary, universally accessible high-quality early childhood education for all preschool-aged children;

A system to strengthen the early education and care workforce. Research has demonstrated that the most significant determinant of quality programs and positive outcomes for children is the education, training and compensation of their early educators and providers; and

A kindergarten readiness assessment system and a comprehensive program evaluation to ensure that any new public investments in high-quality early education have measurable outcomes both for children and taxpayers.

By incorporating both local and state efforts, we are poised 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. W. Mitt Romney to support the Legislature's proposal, and help to build the foundation for "early education for all."

John H. Davis is a trustee, along with his brother Stephen, of the Irene E. and George A. Davis Foundation. He lives in Longmeadow.

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