The key to affecting meaningful change to the academic achievement of elementary, middle and high school students is to invest in the birth-to-five programs that give them the foundation needed to succeed in school (“11th-grade scores at new low” News, Oct. 20). Early childhood education is proven to increase a child’s literacy, and problem-solving, social-emotional skills and parent involvement are all key indicators of later academic success.
Unfortunately, nearly 16,000 fewer children are attending preschool in Illinois this fall because of $55 million in cuts to early childhood funding over the last three fiscal years. That’s bad news for the economy as well as children and families. A recent report found that Illinois’s investment in preschool over the past 23 years has produced up to $530 million in annual savings and revenue to the state.
To remedy declining student achievement and recurring fiscal woes, Illinois needs to remember that investing in early learning programs is a down payment on higher academic achievement, a better educated workforce and a stronger economic future.
— Diana Mendley Rauner, President, Ounce of Prevention Fund, Chicago
