Greater investment needed in early childhood education

Business leaders, like those of Google, Facebook, Boeing, FedEx and some of the hundreds of Montana companies who attended Sen. Max Baucus’ Montana Economic Development Summit in Butte know the importance of having skilled, educated workers who can master complex tasks and spur innovation.

But to ensure that we have “Montana solutions for Montana jobs” and a strong workforce tomorrow, we need to start teaching children the skills to succeed from day one by making greater investments in early childhood education.

We must do more to make sure that children gain the knowledge and skills necessary to start life off on the right foot. I know firsthand through the efforts of many agencies and organizations that I have worked with across the state that investments in early childhood help cultivate the cognitive and character skills needed to thrive in the 21st century. Those who attend such programs also do better overall in high school, college and careers, and are much more likely to become the kind of skilled employees businesses want.

Such investments could fuel our innovation economy, and yield big returns for Montana. Nobel-prize winning economist James Heckman has found that every dollar invested in high-quality early childhood programs for disadvantaged children returns 7-10 percent per child, per year through better outcomes in education, health, reduced social spending and lifelong productivity.

Early childhood education is our opportunity to make investments into Montana’s future that will grow the economy without adding more debt.

Congress is considering a plan to help states like ours invest in quality early childhood development from birth to age 5. Montana could receive $12.5 million in its first year of participating in such a plan, supporting proven programs in the state such as home visiting, early learning for infants and toddlers and high-quality preschool.

Prioritizing investment in this plan is one of the best things Congress can do to improve outcomes for students, families and the economy.

I urge Sen. Baucus, those who attended the summit and our broader community to further deliberate and express support for this Montana-focused economic solution.

Title Post: Greater investment needed in early childhood education
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