Letter: Ending Disparities in Early Childhood Education

By Immacula Cann

With the goal of improving the state’s capacity to educate its children, the Obama administration has designated over $4 billion to its Race to the Top (RTT) initiative.  

This year, $500 million is allocated for the Early Learning Challenge (RTT-ELC). Connecticut’s state Department of Education, in cooperation with other state agencies, is anxiously working to submit its grant proposal prior to the Oct. 19 application deadline.  

All states compete for the RTT funds, and for the past two years, Connecticut has failed to earn its share. It is critical that Connecticut be successful with this year’s application, as the goals of RTT-ELC are fundamental to the success of our educational system.

With RTT-ETC funding, Connecticut would have a renewed opportunity to eliminate disparities in early childhood education. The primary goal of RTT-ELC is to prepare young children for entry into kindergarten. RTT-ELC funding would lead to improved access to qualified pre-K programs. With this funding, Connecticut would have the capacity to develop a comprehensive set of standards for early childhood education programs, ensure student access, and promote family engagement in these programs.

Early childhood education (ECE) represents an investment that will result in families being more effectively engaged in preparing their children for the school experience. Young children need to be socially and cognitively prepared to participate in full-time education. The benefits of ECE include improvements to the child’s capacity for critical thinking and learning.

Possibly most important, ECE facilitates effective student interaction and social skills, leading to schools with an improved climate for education. Teachers have greater opportunity to teach, and spend less time managing the classroom. 

The subject of Education versus Incarceration is often reported in the media. This dilemma represents a stark reality: By not properly preparing our children for success in school, many of our children will not live up to their potential.

We all share in the costs, and we all share in the consequences. Early childhood education represents an investment in our community’s future. Let us ensure every child of every family has access to effective programs of early education. Let us hope Connecticut earns its share of the RTT-ELC funding, and is quick to implement its plan and meet its objectives.

To submit a letter to the editor, please email Stratford Patch editor Jason Bagley at jason.bagley@patch.com.