Educators back Early Edge plan

 I am writing today, along with the undersigned leaders from across Montana’s rural school districts, to support Gov. Steve Bullock’s Early Edge initiative for public, universally available pre-kindergarten. 

While a great number of Montana’s students are excelling, thanks to our high-quality and innovative public schools, a frightening achievement gap remains. Too many of our students cannot keep up in school through no fault of their families or their schools but simply because they started their education without a strong foundation. 

Numerous studies show pre-K is tied to higher test scores and graduation rates and decreases in drug abuse and other criminal activity. The more kids who show up at kindergarten ready to learn on day one, the better teachers can prepare them for successful educational and professional careers in the future.

Early Edge gives Montana the opportunity to address this gap sitting right in front of us but only if legislators work together to do right by Montana’s earliest learners. Montana is one of only six states without publicly funded early education, and it’s time Helena put aside partisan differences to invest in the bright future of every corner of our state, in both rural and urban areas. 

An unreasonable number of students start school unprepared because their families cannot afford preschool without a public option. Children who miss out on early education also miss out on significant benefits, including the ability to adjust to the demands of formal schooling, the ability to socialize with other children, and guidance on how to behave appropriately in a classroom setting. 

Extensive research by institutions such as Georgetown, Harvard, and the University of Chicago Department of Economics shows that high quality preschool makes a huge difference in children’s lives as they progress through the school system and into life, affecting drop-out and crime rates.

These benefits would not simply be limited to our urban school districts; students in rural districts will benefit as well. Because Early Edge puts control in the hands of local school districts, we will have the opportunity to decide exactly how to implement this initiative in a way that fits with and expands our already existing programs, and it allows us to develop new and innovative ways to reach out to our kids. 

With our current graduation rate at 85 percent, Montana is doing well, but with Early Edge, we can do even better. High-quality early childhood education is critical to making sure 100 percent of Montana youth graduate. No one policy is a cure-all, but Early Edge marks a huge step in the right direction for our youth. 

Concern about Early Edge funding lies in where the money is going when there are other issues at hand, such as hiring more teachers into our school systems. Let us be very clear: The governor is proposing Early Edge funding in addition to the historic investments that were already made last legislative session thanks to SB 175. Schools across the state are receiving funding through SB 175, and Early Edge is certainly not an either/or proposition.

If we are serious about investing in the future of our state, Early Edge needs to be a priority now and for the long haul. Montana’s students need to be shown they are a priority, and schools need resources if more students are going to be successful from preschool all the way through to when they join Montana’s job market.

If you agree with us that Early Edge is a wise investment in Montana’s economic and educational future, please visit earlyedgeaction.org and contact your legislators to urge them to support this essential initiative.

Laurie Barron, of Whitefish, is the superintendent of the Evergreen School District. She was joined in signing this letter by five other superintendents: Doug Ardiana of Bonner School District, Dennis Gerke of Hardin School District, Brad Moore of Big Sandy School District, Joby Parker of Rosebud County School District, and Jule Walker of Plevna School District.