From Cradle to Career

Recently public opinion on the significant impact early childhood experiences have on a child’s positive development and future has begun to change because it is being talked about in the business community, the media and by politicians.  The greatest example of this is when on February 12, 2013 President Barak Obama stated in his State of the Union Address “Every dollar we invest in high-quality early childhood education can save more than seven dollars later on -- by boosting graduation rates, reducing teen pregnancy, even reducing violent crime.  In states that make it a priority to educate our youngest children, like Georgia or Oklahoma, studies show students grow up more likely to read and do math at grade level, graduate high school, hold a job, form more stable families of their own.  We know this works.  So let’s do what works and make sure none of our children start the race of life already behind. Let’s give our kids that chance” (The White House, 2013).  Seeing the importance of a strong early childhood foundation discussed in the media and the political arena is exciting, but it is only a small step toward the shift in public opinion that needs to take place so all children and families have access to affordable high quality early care and education programs.

This week in the news there has been discussion about a Higher Education Summit that took place at the White House.  The purpose of the summit was to launch a plan of action for increasing college opportunity for low-income and disadvantaged students.  I watched Michelle Obama speak to the participants of the summit and was moved by her commitment to seeing all high school students have access to higher education opportunities.  As the First Lady concluded her remarks she said “We will win by tapping the full potential of all of our young people so that we can grow our economy and move this country forward” (The White House, 2014)

            It is my hope in the next 5 years the public comes to truly understand that in order for young people to reach their full potential and be able to become contributing citizens it starts long before high school graduation.   It is my hope that they see if we want all young people to have a chance at reaching their full potential, we must develop programs and policies that create a unified early childhood system that includes the many strands or service that exist today.  It is my hope that the general public begins to advocate for such a system that is affordable and accessible for all.

References:

The White House. (2013). Retrieved from: http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2013/02/12/remarks-president-state-union-address

The White House. (2014). Retrieved from: http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2014/01/16/remarks-president-and-first-lady-college-opportunity-summit