Universal Early Childhood Education

The United States need a public early education system (infant to pre-K) because many of our parents work and they need not only an affordable daycare, but a high quality early childhood education. According to the American Federation of Teachers, the positive impact of high-quality early childhood programs on children’s success in school and their future has been well documented. Many studies have demonstrated the importance of the early years for the developing brain.

And over the past four decades,numerous studies such as the Perry Preschool Study; the Abecedarian Project; the Chicago Longitudinal Study; and the Cost, Quality, and Child Outcomes Study have indicated that high-quality early childhood education increases the likelihood that children—particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds—will become successful students and citizens.

Providing a public early childhood education to our families is not just good for the families, but is also good for the community and the country, Even though providing a universal early childhood education is expensive, "studies consistently show a savings of $7 for every dollar spent on such programs" for middle income families and up to $27 for every dollar spent on low income children. AFT claims that "these savings come as a result of lower costs for remedial and special education, fewer school dropouts, and less delinquency and subsequent unemployment.or criminal activity" (AFT Educational Issues Policy Brief-Number 15 July 2002).

Our society needs to recognize that early childhood education should be viewed as an important part of the education continuum. Legislators need to understand that providing a high quality early childhood experiences to all our children will ensure their success at school and in life.

Parents with young children across the country must join together and convince our political leaders that the time is now for the country to provide high quality early childhood education for all.