Original Source | The Oregonian
By Michael D. Schrunk, Wednesday November 18, 2009

Lacking early education

Sunday's story showing that 75 percent of young people cannot serve in the military, largely because of inadequate schooling or police records, concerned me for two reasons.

As a former Marine, I'm disturbed that so many men and women aren't meeting standards for military service. As a prosecutor, I'm also concerned because school dropouts are more likely to commit crimes as adults. Research shows that early education is proven to help kids stay in and graduate from high school and stay on the right side of the law. You don't have to be in the criminal justice profession to see why we would all be better off with a more educated, productive population.

That's why I urge Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley to work to pass the Early Learning Challenge Fund, which will provide grants to states to provide more at-risk children with early education opportunities. Retired military brass are standing up for this solution. I hope all Oregon leaders will join this fight for public safety. The Early Learning Challenge Fund is truly a win, not only for public safety and education, but for all citizens.

MICHAEL D. SCHRUNK
Northeast Portland
Schrunk is the Multnomah County district attorney.