Local leaders are right (“Early childhood education gets new push at State House,” May 29) to back investments that make quality pre-kindergarten affordable. But Augusta doesn’t have to go it alone.
It’s about fairness. Just 48 percent of low-income children enter kindergarten school-ready, compared to three-fourths of higher-income kids. Quality pre-K levels the playing field, especially for poor kids. And it cultivates “soft skills” prized by employers, like focus and critical thinking, giving today’s kids a better chance to compete in tomorrow’s economy.
Congress should build a federal-state partnership, like the Children’s Health Insurance Program (MaineCare in Maine), which provides quality, cost-effective health care for Maine kids. Federal funds would help states like Maine make pre-K affordable for every child. And funding would be limited to providers meeting evidence-informed quality standards.
MaineCare’s success shows Republicans and Democrats can put kids ahead of politics. Let’s urge Maine’s leaders in Congress to do it again.
A child’s potential, not a parent’s income, should define the limits of academic success.
Bruce Lesley
President, First Focus
Washington, D.C.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
-
EditorialsOur View: Masks could have saved lives, and they still can
-
Arts & Entertainment
Uncertainty of vaccine rollout puts summer performance plans in limbo
-
Local & State
Maine courts begin posting records online, but fees are seen as barrier to access
-
Opinion
Today’s editorial cartoon
-
Sports
Some Maine golf courses to offer rounds to junior golfers for just $5
Success. Please wait for the page to reload. If the page does not reload within 5 seconds, please refresh the page.
Enter your email and password to access comments.
Hi {SUB NAME}, to comment on stories you must . This profile is in addition to your subscription and website login.
Already have one? .
Invalid username/password.
Please check your email to confirm and complete your registration.
Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login to participate in the conversation. Here’s why.
Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.