“Unless we ensure that all children have access to high-quality learning opportunities in their earliest years, when learning and achievement gaps begin to form, we will never reach our goal of all children reading proficiently by grade three. This is not only about their social and economic future. It’s about ours. That is why I am proposing that we fully fund the early education programs in our state. We must ensure that every child in Massachusetts has access to high-quality learning opportunities in their earliest years, when achievement gaps begin to form. We know from academic research, from years of public policy and from our own experience as parents that investing in our children at a young age pays huge dividends for them and for our community as a whole. To those who say we cannot afford this, I challenge you to show me which 4-year-old you think we should not invest in.”
Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick, Boston, January 15, 2012
Eye on Early Education focuses on the twin goals of ensuring that Massachusetts children have access to high-quality early education and become proficient readers by the end of third grade.
Thank you, Affordable full day kindergarten is also a priority. Children whose parents can not afford full day kindergarten need that opportunity as well.