Establishing preschool for every child is Hawaii’s opportunity to give all children a good education.

Advantages conferred by preschools separate from elementary schools fade with time; but PK-3 (preschool to third grade, similar to Montessori schools and others) builds skills over time.

Camden, N.J., implemented PK-3 in their poverty-stricken, crime-ridden communities. By third grade, math and reading scores — two skills upon which all future learning depend — were on par with the general population, better in some cases.

Every child stays with the same teacher, same classmates, preschool through third grade. They become ohana — the teacher knowing the families and children well, developing their strengths, helping overcome weaknesses.

The Waianae Coast already has two public preschools. Would school officials want to do a pilot PK-3 program there?

Each dollar spent on PK-3 returns $7 to Hawaii. Others build their middle classes, growing their economies by investing heavily in education. Shouldn’t we?

Renee Ing

Makiki

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