The economic crisis has me thinking about the future of our children. Will the next generation be better off than the one today, or have we begun a slide that will bring down the standard of living for all Americans?
No one can assure prosperity, but our schools do have a key role in engaging in community partnerships that will positively impact how children learn and develop, especially as public schools continue to seek resourceful ways to meet the incredible challenges facing our country.
Together, every institution, stakeholder group and community, as well as every citizen, must understand the critical need to do much more for all of our children.
The C.S. Mott Foundation, with a central belief in the partnership of humanity, describes “a new day for learning” that redefines student success, integrates many approaches to acquiring and reinforcing knowledge, promotes intentional collaboration across local, state and national sectors, and strengthens leadership through professional development.
I strongly believe that this journey must start with our youngest learners.
It should be impossible for any American citizen to deny the fact that every child age 5 and younger today will have to be an incredibly productive member of America’s future work force to sustain the prosperity our nation has enjoyed. It is hard to remember this fact when the outcome of the investment in early education only becomes fully realized after about 30 years.
Economist Art Rolnick points to the Perry Study, where children who were enrolled in preschool programs, have been tracked for 40 years. For every $1 initially invested by taxpayers into early education, the study documents that children provide a $12 return.
What will it take to implement strategies that can actually improve outcomes for children at risk? Neurologists, molecular biologists, geneticists and child development experts — combined with four decades of rigorous program evaluation — define the common ground in a 2007 Harvard University study completed by the National Scientific Council on the Developing Child.
It is clearly evident that policymakers, business executives, civic leaders and practitioners must work together to design effective policies and practices in the first five years of life and provide the resources that recognize the following:
Early experiences determine whether a child’s brain architecture will provide a strong or weak foundation for all future learning, behavior and health.
Young children need positive relationships, rich learning opportunities and safe environments, not quick fixes or magic bullets.
Four decades of a program evaluation research point to “effectiveness factors” that can enhance development in the first five years of life. These factors include access to medical care, the reduction of neurotoxins in the environment, highly skilled staff with age-appropriate curricula, and stimulating materials in a language-rich environment with warm, responsive interactions between staff and parents.
Intervention strategies that are effective for children and families who are at risk for poor outcomes are beneficial for all.
Effective programs that are implemented well, evaluated regularly and improved continuously result in significant gains for all children.
Positive experiences before entering school are likely to lead to better outcomes than remediation programs at a later age, generating a strong return on investment.
It’s a tall order, but the St. Cloud school board took a dramatic step in early September by listening to a “community linkage” session with local early childhood experts. Board members expressed commitment to the idea of exploring ways to work with community partners to plan strategically for a “new day for learning” for our young learners.
School districts throughout Central Minnesota and the United States are exploring policies and programs that ensure the well-being and “school readiness” for all children. Their commitment underscores the belief that we all share responsibility for making sure America’s children have a chance to succeed in our complex and ever-changing world.
For this generation, time is running out.
