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States should invest in preschool

Millions of middle-class and wealthy American parents assume preschool to be an important part of their 3- and 4-year-old children’s lives, but that’s far from the reality of this nation’s working poor. At a time when the diversity of languages, educational backgrounds, and economic status among families is rapidly widening in almost every state in the nation, a massive expansion of affordable preschool is ever more essential yet still far from being realized in too many states.

One of every 4 children under age 6 in the United States today is a child of immigrants, an extraordinary increase from just a decade ago. More than half of these children are from poor families, according to a recent report from the Urban Institute. These are exactly the families and children who can benefit most from strong early-education programs.

By Andrew White

Full Story: http://www.csmonitor.com/2005/1107/p09s01-coop.html?s=hns

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The tipping point on early education

By JANET G.H. MARSH

Guest columnist

When an idea reaches such broad acceptance that it changes the thinking and behavior of a large segment of society, it has reached its tipping point, according to Malcolm Gladwell, author of the bestseller The Tipping Point. Public discussions about the value of quality child care and early education are moving toward a tipping point.

During the past decade, three forces have converged, compelling us to reassess our values and beliefs about where and how young children spend their early years. These forces are: Irrefutable evidence about the importance of early experiences on future learning and life success; reports that much child care is poor to mediocre; and concerns about America’s ability to compete in the global marketplace.

For generations, education of children was a private matter — a family responsibility. Our agrarian economy kept children close to home, gradually assuming responsibilities of the farm. As technology advanced and the economy changed, new skills and knowledge were required. Eventually, a tipping point was reached, and education moved from a private to a public commitment. The public good required that children learn more than basic reading, writing and arithmetic.

Support for the idea that society had a stake in children’s education didn’t happen overnight. An accumulation of knowledge, experience and common sense built the public will that ultimately led to public education. Despite its flaws, public education has served our nation well.

Full Story: http://www.thestate.com/mld/thestate/living/13033856.htm

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