Myths delay implementation of early education in Hawaii

Over and over, local advocates for young children make the case as to why state investment in early learning is essential for Hawaii.

Hawaii’s Good Beginnings Alliance published studies showing both the benefit and incredible economic impact that early education and care have on our state.

James Heckman, a Nobel laureate economist, experts from the Federal Reserve Board and national researchers consistently produce data that confirm why early learning is one of the best long-term investments a state can make.

Across the state, parents have come forward to plead for investment in a statewide preschool system. Kindergarten teachers tell us children who have not attended preschool — especially those at risk — are not ready to learn. Hawaii business leaders who see the wisdom and value in early learning actively support this issue through the "Be My Voice! Hawaii" campaign.

Why the continued delay? Six myths continue to be raised. The reality is as follows:

» The long-term costs are too great. Without early learning, Hawaii’s long-term costs for social welfare will increase. Countless research indicates that children without early learning are more likely to drop out of high school, become teen parents, commit a violent crime and never attend college.

This investment can be made with confidence. For every $1 invested in early learning, the state will benefit $4.20.

» This is school vouchers. Families who are eligible for financial assistance through the proposed program will be able to enroll only their children with providers that are contracted by the Executive Office of Early Learning and meet program requirements.

» I didn’t go to preschool and I am fine. Times have changed. Today, if a child who has no books at home and has not been exposed to letters or numbers enters kindergarten, he or she is almost two years behind. We wonder why Hawaii lags behind other states in third-grade reading scores. Thirty-nine states have figured it out. We must start early.

» Fix the K-12 system first. Part of the challenge is that so many children do not enter K-12 ready to learn. They are caught in a vicious cycle of "catch-up." These children often become discouraged and continue to lag behind their peers. Starting education early and working with parents of young children can help to solve many of the K-12 system problems such as high special education costs, truancy and absenteeism.

» Gains fade by third grade. Long-term studies such as Perry Preschool, Abecedarian and the Chicago Longitudinal Study invalidate this claim. These studies, among others, find that preschool works. Hawaii’s strong P-3 work is making great strides to make early learning seamless with K-3 programs. Consistent learning standards, as well as enhanced teacher training and support in the K-3 grades, are critical.

» Parents should take care of their own children. All parents want the best for their children. More than 65 percent of Hawaii’s parents with young children are working. Half cannot afford preschool. Children are often in a random set of child-care arrange- ments. Because of that, many children enter kindergarten lacking knowledge of books, counting skills and letter recognition and they have few language skills.

The indicators are clear that investing in early learning is not only good for our children and their families but for the state as a whole. This week as the Legislature continues to consider measures to fund and implement a statewide early learning system, it’s important that lawmakers receive the facts and not fear the fiction.

We shouldn’t give up on so many of Hawaii’s children before they even begin their journey through school and life.