In response to your recent coverage of our newly elected president’s priorities, President Bush’s focus on education, in my opinion, is full of possibility. But I am dismayed that I have not heard of his plans to support young children in particular. How better to ensure that we “leave no child behind” than ensure that all children start school ready to learn by supporting early-childhood education?
Early-childhood education’s time has come. There appears to be a quickly growing awareness that investing in early-childhood education is a good investment for many reasons. Business leaders speak of the role of early learning in a productive workforce, while law enforcement officials point out that investing in our children up front prevents delinquency in their later years.
Unfortunately I have not yet heard President Bush join this chorus.
I encourage President Bush to put his actions where his rhetoric is by working with Congress to ensure that all children have access to Head Start and quality childcare.
To me, that’s the only real way we can “leave no child behind.”
