As lawmakers grapple with the complex two-year state budget, the issue of tax reform is taking up most of the attention in the State House. But other public policy issues within the governor’s budget draft speak to our priorities as a state, including the critical issue of the quality and availability of early learning.

I spoke recently before a joint hearing of the Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee and Education and Cultural Affairs Committee and asked these 26 policymakers to work together to find additional funding for pre-K in the next budget.

I made this request as a grandfather, former elementary school teacher, former adjutant general of Maine and a member of Mission: Readiness, a national security organization of more than 500 retired admirals and generals, 32 of whom are here in Maine. Collectively, we work to ensure that our nation’s youth are citizen-ready — ready to succeed academically, stay physically fit and abide by the law.

An important connection may not be readily apparent: Quality early education is important not only for the young children who attend, but also for our nation’s future security.

Our military’s most important asset is its people. Our men and women in uniform are dedicated and talented people, ready to carry out their mission and defend our country. But I am concerned about the alarming number of young people today who are ineligible for military service.

According to the Department of Defense, more than 70 percent of young Americans ages 17-24 are unable to serve in the military, primarily because they are poorly educated, physically unfit or have a criminal record.

In Maine, 14 percent of high school students do not graduate on time, and it is very difficult to join the military without a high school diploma. Among those who do graduate and try to join the military, nearly one in five cannot score highly enough on the military’s entrance exam to be able to enlist.

The first five years of a child’s life are fundamental to all of the success or failure that comes afterwards. Like building a house, it is critical that the foundation be solid. During these early years, children develop core pre-literacy and pre-math skills, and educators have long advocated to make sure that all kids can receive early education so they can become successful students and well-adjusted young adults.

Research shows that high-quality early childhood education can prepare children to start school ready to learn. It can boost graduation rates, deter youth from crime and even help reduce obesity rates by instilling healthy eating and exercise habits from an early age.

For example, a long-term study of the Perry Preschool Program in Michigan tracked two groups of children in a controlled study. Children who participated in the program were 44 percent more likely to graduate from high school. A similar study of the Chicago Child-Parent Centers showed that children who did not participate in the program were 70 percent more likely to be arrested for a violent crime by age 18.

A growing body of research also shows that state pre-K programs, if they are of high enough quality, can deliver solid results that do not “fade-out” over time. A study of New Jersey’s high-quality state preschool program, which served thousands of low- and moderate-income families, found participating children significantly outperformed non-participating children when in kindergarten and second grade, and also now that they’re in the fourth and fifth grades.

I congratulate the Maine Department of Education on winning a four-year, $14.8 million pre-K expansion grant, but, even with this new investment, only 42 percent of all of Maine 4-year-olds will be able to participate in voluntary, public pre-K programs. With so many of our youngest learners not being served, the unmet need is still too great.

I urge the governor and legislators to work together to find additional resources within the budget to continue to expand public pre-K in Maine so more children can start out on the path to a successful life with many career options, including the military for those who to choose to serve.

Earl Adams, of Pittston, is a retired Army major general.

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