Invest in Head Start

As mentioned in the April 2 article, “Walton family funds pre-k success study,” low-income children in Arkansas and across America often start school behind their wealthier peers because they do not have access to high-quality early childhood education programs.

As one of the researchers mentioned, although investments in high-quality early childhood education help close the achievement gap, state and federal investments have remained too low to accomplish this goal. As a result, we don’t have the quality standards that kids deserve and that make our investments so effective. Our leaders in Arkansas and Congress must do more to invest in our children’s futures. About 25 percent of kids in Arkansas live in poverty, and it’s essential to help them receive a strong start in life.

High-quality early childhood education programs like Head Start and Early Head Start help low-income kids receive an equal opportunity to thrive. Since its creation, Head Start has helped prepare more than 33 million American children for kindergarten and beyond.

Our economy also benefits. According to a report by Nobel Prize-winning economist James Heckman, the rate of return on investments in early childhood development for many kids can be 13 percent per child per year due to improved outcomes in education, health, sociability, economic productivity and reduced crime.

Congress must invest more in Head Start and Early Head Start. Without these vital programs, many kids fall behind and it’s often difficult for them to catch up.

Head Start builds bright futures. Let’s give it the investment it deserves. JASON FERGUSON

Little Rock