Early education helps even out the playing field for many children born into limiting circumstances. Preschools should not be for only the wealthy but for all children. Early education not only shrinks the learning gaps between children in poverty and those in the middle class and higher but improves graduation rates.
Research Validates Benefits of Early Education
Education Week’s latest research states that 3 out of every 10 high school students become dropouts. Some schools are so weak that they are considered dropout factories. To make the situation in education even more alarming, an Education Trust report states that 23% of high school graduates that apply for the military can not even pass the basic math, reading and problem-solving tests. [1]
The quality of education in the U.S. is becoming a national security concern. Students graduating from high school are not educated at a level where they can protect the nation. Nearly 200 retired generals and admirals are asking Congress for educational reforms with emphasis on high-quality early education. [1] The recent reforms within No Child Left Behind are focusing on early education and calling for “cradle to college” changes. Research shows that getting a good start in education can reduce high dropout rates and even pregnancies.
Research Supports Preschool Programs
The HighScope Educational Research Foundation has found that at-risk children in a Michigan preschool program were more likely to graduate from high school. 44% of the students attending preschool were more likely to graduate than those that did not attend a preschool.
The University of North Carolina began a study on at-risk children in 1972 that is still ongoing. The study finds that children who participated in an early education program 2.5 times more likely to attend a 4-year college. [1]
Budget Cuts- Consider Research Before Acting
While budget cuts are necessary, Congress should strongly consider putting funding where it has been proven that it makes a difference in student achievement. Early childhood education has been proven to be effective with at-risk children and helping them to be ready to learn when they enter kindergarten.
Currently, education is considered to be K-12. If the educational system is to improve, changes need to be made. A better formula may be Pre-K through college.
[1] Shalikashvili, John. “Another view on kids: Focus on early education,” USA Today, January 25, 2011. (Shalikashvili is a former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and a member of Mission: Readiness, a non-profit organization focused on national security issues.)
Barbara Pytel - Email me Experience Although I was never particularly fond of going to school as an ELL student, I ironically became a teacher, ...
