We still need early childhood education

As an early childhood educator in Santa Fe, I find it appalling that there is not a single mention of a “better way” to fund early childhood education (“Special election cost less than expected,” June 30). There was no mention in Daniel Chacón’s story of the lack of early education for all New Mexico’s children and how exclusion begins the moment they are born. And we wonder why New Mexico was just named the worst place to raise a family.

While there is great consensus that critical brain development occurs between birth and 5 years of age, and everyone claims to support preschool, all proposed funding sources have been shut down. This affects early education centers, educators and most importantly, high-quality education for our most vulnerable population — our children.

So, voters have opposed the sugary beverage tax for early education, and powerful politicians have opposed funding from the state Land Grant Permanent Fund as well, without any solution or “better way.” These lost opportunities must be corrected, and all must be guaranteed a high-quality early education.

At a time with continual cutbacks and a budget crisis in New Mexico, our children should be our first priority over corporations like Coca-Cola. Everyone should be alarmed and called to action when research shows that without access to high-quality early education, the number of incarcerated youth continues to grow. At this rate, our children are more likely to end up in prison than in college. It is embarrassing that nothing has been done to curb the prison growth, when early education for all can do just that.

Please, enough about the booing of the soda tax. Instead, it’s time to ensure that the Land Grant Permanent Fund is utilized for early childhood education once and for all, because that truly is the best way. Glory Auldon is a Santa Fe resident and member of Early Educators United in New Mexico and the New Mexico American Federation of Teachers.