Half the battle is won or lost before kindergarten

I applaud the Chronicle’s editorial board in advocating a copacetic, rather than oppositional, relationship with TEA Mike Morath’s appointees to the HISD board. It is an opportunity, not a fight.

However, while elementary, middle and high school performance is of great concern, I encourage Houstonians to think earlier in child education as well — birth through 5 years of age. Erin Baumgartner, of the Houston Education Research Consortium, stated recently that “there is research that shows half of the gap that exists between black and white students at the end of high school can be traced back to kindergarten entry … so if we eliminate the gaps early on, it’s going to mean better things for long-term outcomes for students.” In other words, half of the battle is won or lost before age 5, before a child even steps foot in a kindergarten classroom.

When Houstonians heed the Chronicle’s call-to-action “to volunteer, to serve on committees, to comment at public meetings,” I implore them to push their representatives to support early child care education outcomes. Demand that we fully fund high-quality, full-school day pre-K for all eligible children in Texas; support training for child care teachers; and raise state standards for regulated child care programs.

These are politically achievable policies that will benefit Houstonians for generations. Eric Kline, board member of Collaborative for Children, Houston