Half of our state's eighth graders can not add or subtract fractions. Timely early childhood immunizations help children remain in good health and diminish unnecessary early childhood diseases such as measles and pertussis. Children enrolled in high quality early childhood programs are better prepared to enter kindergarten and school, show greater aptitude in language development and cognitive ability, maintain strides in intellectual functioning for three to four years after the program ends, are less likely to be assigned to special education programs, are more likely to graduate from elementary school and to follow secondary education or training opportunities. Some solutions for school ready children are within our reach. Political will is the only obstacle.
Educators can help reform education for the youngest generation.
Learning begins before that first day of kindergarten. Children need quality child care and preschool with health components, literacy for their parents, family involvement and smooth transitions to the elementary school. Quality preschool can bolster learning, social skills, health and family strength. Such programming does not have to occur in the schools, nor must school educators provide the teaching or the space. Early education and care can be contracted out to existing quality child care programs.