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Special Edition: Early Childhood Issues
The Early Childhood Imperative
 by Ian Scott
Vice President of Communications & Networks
ACCE
This July I became a true believer in the importance of early childhood initiatives for America's economic future. I saw the light in Boston, sometime between dinner Thursday and lunch Friday at the National Business Leader Summit on Early Childhood Investment. This two-day meeting of more than 200 corporate, foundation and non-profit executives was organized by the Partnership for America's Economic Success - a project of the Pew Center on the States.
Maybe it happened during the opening keynote when Harvard's Jack Shonkoff illustrated the science of childhood brain development or during the lunch panel when Boeing's senior V.P. for human resources spoke candidly about America's long-term need for creative, adaptable workers. Perhaps it happened in the afternoon workshop when Tim Bartik from the Upjohn Institute highlighted the economic returns for every dollar invested in young children. Regardless, I left Boston a believer.
What struck me most was learning just how much each of us is set up for success or struggle, productivity or incarceration, by the events of our first four years of life. It made me feel quite small. On my way home Friday, I called my mother from the airport and thanked her for reading to me every day from birth until I could comprehend the words on my own.
In addition to a fresh dose of humility, I left Boston with the passion that Kim Scheeler at the Richmond Chamber and Billy Canary at the Business Council of Alabama already have for this issue. Newly minted CCE Jim Page from the Decatur-Morgan County (AL) Chamber, who was also in Boston, informed me that early childhood education is their number one issue.
Chambers of commerce have a long history working on education. The issues are always complex and often emotionally charged. Progress is slow and setbacks are many. But education continues to top chamber agendas because businesses need talent. Our economy runs on smart, adaptable, well-educated people. The innovative, talented people America needs are shaped long before they enter first grade.
Many state and local chambers are already champions for more effective policies to help children develop into successful adults. Others are poised to join. To provide chamber leaders with the best information about the economic and workforce benefits of early childhood programs, ACCE has entered into collaboration with the Partnership for America's Economic Success, a project of the Pew Center on the States.
The following newsletter provides just a few of the resources available on this issue. There is much more on the way from the ACCE Policy Clearinghouse and Information Office. In the meantime, if you want more information about the scientific and economic rationale for investing in early childhood, check out www.PartnershipforSuccess.org or contact ACCE's Chaaron Pearson.
Quick Poll: Early Childhood Policies
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Draft Policy Language from the Pew Center on the States
A key first step in advocating for any issue is including a statement in your policy agenda. And, in today's climate of budget cutting, efforts to preserve early childhood education programs may pay incalculable dividends when today's kids enter the workforce. For those of you considering adding early childhood initiatives to your list of issues, the Pew Center on the States offers some general language that we encourage you to adapt and use:
A high quality education is essential to develop our state's future employees, customers and neighbors. However, too often young children, especially disadvantaged youngsters, arrive in kindergarten already far behind their peers. Many of them never catch up, leading to school and employment failure. A number of rigorous, independent studies overwhelmingly demonstrate the benefits of early learning programs in the development of a child's social and cognitive skills. Therefore, children, starting with those at-risk, should have access to high quality services that can help them become successful adults who are prepared for our highly competitive, fast-paced global economy.
The links below feature draft language in support of specific early childhood programs depending on the issues active in your state:
Sample Position Statements from Leading Business Organizations
Below are excerpts from position statements on early childhood and Pre-K programs from other business organizations:
U.S. Chamber of Commerce Policy Position on Early Childhood Education
Studies by the Federal Reserve Bank of Minnesota reveal that the capacity for developmental skills begins in the first five years of life. This is the beginning point for a person's creativity, communication, team working, problem solving, and critical thinking skills. These studies reflect that there is a great need for children to enter kindergarten prepared to learn. Unfortunately, too few young children today are in fact prepared with these tools. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce believes that to begin to address this issue of maximizing educational effectiveness, while remaining fiscally responsible, there must be far greater coordination among the existing patchwork of federal, state, local, and private early childhood programs. Through these efforts, states and localities should strive to provide access to high quality programs for all children. These programs should include a strong family engagement component to facilitate early literacy development; should focus on academic preparation; and be held accountable for their performance. Research shows that lasting benefits of Pre-K programs only persist when staff is professionally prepared and high quality standards are maintained.
National Association of Manufacturers Official Policy Positions on Education and the Workforce
1.01. General Education Policy
Excellence in education and educational opportunities for all is the best guarantee of meeting the demands of the global economy. The NAM believes in a strong system of high quality early learning, elementary, secondary, higher education including career and technical education that effectively prepares students for the challenges of the 21st century global workforce.
1.08. Early Education and Learning
Access to high quality early education and learning opportunities is integral to helping today's children prepare for the highly competitive, fast-paced global economy. A number of high quality independent studies and reports overwhelmingly demonstrate the benefits of early learning programs in the development of a child's social and cognitive skills, creativity and emotional resilience. These skills are often developed prior to a student's arrival in the elementary school setting placing a great emphasis on the need for high quality early child development and support services that can improve school readiness
Business Council of Alabama 2010 State Legislative Agenda - Education/Workforce Preparedness
The Business Council of Alabama supports adopting policies and processes that ensure sound, sustainable funding for public education. BCA advocates that adequate and equitable funding for effective public education at all levels (pre-K through Ph.D., including AIDT, ATN & Career Tech) is essential if the system is to effectively prepare Alabama's children and young adults to meet the challenges of an increasingly complex economy and competitive work force. Therefore, the BCA supports policies that promote access to quality education at all levels and strengthens public awareness and understanding that further educational investment is not only necessary, but also essential in ensuring personal income growth and economic opportunity for all Alabamians.
Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce Policy Issues - Early Education
The Chamber recognizes that an investment in quality early education programs will increase achievement, reduce drop-out rates and create pathways for success throughout K-12 education. This type of investment will enhance educational outcomes and result in a knowledgeable workforce that will lead our nation's economy. To achieve a 21st century workforce, education must be at the highest standards from the very beginning. Through advocacy and special support to public schools, the Chamber is raising the bar for Los Angeles Early Education and Pre-K schooling.
Kentucky State Chamber of Commerce 2011 Agenda - Education and Workforce
The Commonwealth must reinforce the relationship between funding, expectations for high student achievement and accountability at all levels of education -- from early childhood through postsecondary and adult. Accountability is the foundation of Kentucky's system of education. The state must continually measure its progress toward specific goals to ensure a successful future for Kentucky and its citizens as well as accountability for taxpayers.
EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION
Kentucky must invest in early childhood education and make greater investments in health screenings and enhanced child care programs for Kentucky's developing youth. Ensuring a successful beginning for Kentucky's students will require an innovative and collaborative approach to provide quality preschool to all 3- and 4-year-olds. Additionally, the Kentucky Chamber supports efforts to fully fund all-day kindergarten equitably statewide.
More information can be found on the ACCE Information Office at www.acce.org/info or at www.PartnershipforSuccess.org.
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