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full-service schools Early Childhood Education: Babies Are Everybody’s Business By Kitt Cox M anaging resources during the ﬁscal ﬁasco we nection between families and community resources can are enduring requires new ways to arrive at reverse rising rates of expulsion, high school dropouts, a sound economic development strategy. For and the need for many special-education services—and a growing number of professionals and poli- can save money. cy makers in the United States, this new plan takes the Those touting the investments in such systems point to form of developmental parenting classes, affordable fam- positive outcomes for workforce development, worker ily-based child care, and access to preschool classrooms productivity, graduation, and crime prevention. One staffed by professional educators. study of early childhood development programs revealed A movement is building that favors creating a national that those early education investments yielded $8 for network of high-quality early education and care systems every $1 invested (Rolnick and Grunewald 2003). The that begin at birth. It makes sense. Promot ing positive authors conclude,“This return is too good to pass up, early learning experiences, healthy caregivers, and a con- not only for the children but also for the taxpayers.” 16 JULY/AUGUST 2009 | SCHOOL BUSINESS AFFAIRS www.asbointl.org Nobel Prize–winning economist James Heckman eval- For years our country was slow to recognize and uated the scientific basis for economic policy develop- address the needs of our youngest citizens, perhaps ment and early education. He cites the importance of because until recently clear scientific evidence about supporting babies and their families at the earliest oppor- brain development and early childhood was lacking. But it’s no longer a question that we need effective tunity. “Learning starts at infancy. . . . The most econom- early childhood programs, built on sound policies ically efficient way to remediate the disadvantage caused that place adequate focus and emphasis on support- by adverse family environments is to invest in children ing the developing brain of children from birth when they are young” (Meisels 2006). through age 5. We need policies that improve teacher As Heckman points out, access to early support is quality, raise standards, and support our youngest crucial to alleviating the toxic stress that weighs espe- children’s learning and growth. This can be accom- cially heavy on financially disadvantaged families. As is plished with bold initiatives and real investment and frequently noted, a child’s educational readiness is a pre- must be taken seriously. We can no longer afford the dictor of not only how the child will fare as an adult but status quo. (Miller 2009) also of our collective capacity for economic development There is growing national political will to improve and global competitiveness. early education in America. Newly elected president In a March 13, 2009, Boston Globearticle, Kathleen Barack Obama is championing early education invest- McCartney, dean and professor of early childhood ment as a key to economic recovery, growth, and sus- development at the Harvard Graduate School of tainability. Education, comments on “the mounting evidence that References early education matters more for children with less.” Speaking before an audience in Macomb, Michigan, McCartney, K. 2009.Finally getting smart about investing in learning.Boston Globe, March 13. Bill Millet, president of the economic development con- sulting firm Scope View Strategic Advantage, said: “Busi - Meisels S. 2006. Universal Pre-K: What about the babies? Education Week, January 25. ness needs to be on board in a real way. We’re not talk- Miller, G. 2009. The imperative of early education. The Hill, ing about the ABCs of education; we’re talking about the March 17. return on the investment. Building strong preschool pro- Rolnick, A., and R. Grunewald. 2003. Early childhood develop- grams is a far better tactic to boost the economy and ment: Economic development with a high public return.Federal boost jobs than territorially competitive incentive pack- Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. ages, in which states and local governments invest bil- Searight, D. 2009. Early childhood education: A matter of success lions each year despite their frequent negative returns” or failure. TheSource, March 15. (Searight 2009). Writing an opinion piece for The Hill, Representative Kitt Coxis program coordinator of the Birth to Three Family George Miller (D-CA), chairman of the House Center in Ipswich, Massachusetts. Email: Education and LaborCommittee, argues: [email protected] Using ARRA Funds to Improve Use technology to improve teaching and learning. Results for All Students Purchase instructional software and interactive tech- nologies that have proven to be effective aids for In using ARRA funds, districts should consider instruction, particularly for English language learners, strategies consistent with ARRA’s reform goals and students with disabilities, and struggling and the evidence on improving student outcomes. For advanced learners, and train teachers to use them. example, Modernize school facilities.Modernize schools to be Extend learning time for students.Expand after- open to the community, accessible, and energy effi- school and summer learning programs for two years cient, and to have up-to-date science labs and in conjunction with existing community providers to technology that enhance learning. provide more time for learning, including opportunities for service, internships, the arts, and other Conduct reviews, demonstrations, and evaluations activities that enrich the curriculum and address the that enhance effectiveness.Systematically review specific needs of low-performing students. the district’s central operations and budget to iden- tify opportunities for reallocating resources to better Strengthen preparation for college and careers. support district priorities. Offer dual enrollment courses and student internships and train school staff to help students Excerpted from American Recovery and understand college and career options, provide Reinvestment Act of 2009: Using ARRA Funds to effective guidance, and create a college-going Drive School Reform and Improvement, published culture. by the U. S. Department of Education, April 2009. www.asbointl.org SCHOOL BUSINESS AFFAIRS | JULY/AUGUST 2009 17