| Invest in Preschoolers: Letter to the Editor |
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Original Source | The Oregonian According to the article “Head Start bill clears a hurdle” (Feb.16), a bill to extend Head Start preschool programs has moved through the Oregon Senate Education and General Government committee [it has since been referred to Way and Means]. But the question remains: Is early quality childhood education the best place to spend our money? The facts are alarming and the answer is clear. One in five children is not ready for kindergarten. With 90 percent of brain development occurring by age 6, children who start behind stay behind and are not likely to catch up. Investing in early childhood is an investment in children and families, and in Oregon’s workforce, economy and quality of life. The Oregon Legislature should make early childhood education a top funding priority. The YMCA of Columbia-Willamette is the largest nonprofit provider of early childhood services in the greater Portland and Vancouver area. We know high-quality early learning programs are an effective and efficient use of public and private resources. We must make an investment in all children, especially those most at risk for starting school behind their peers. Bob Hall |