Issue Position: Early Education for All

Issue Position

High-quality early education for all Kansas four-year-olds must be a priority. Those who experience quality early learning have better education, health, social and economic outcomes in life - increasing their productivity and reducing the need for spending later on. Every dollar invested in quality early education for disadvantaged children provides taxpayers a 7-10 percent return on that investment per year.

The overwhelming evidence shows that children who enter kindergarten unprepared are likely to remain behind throughout their educational careers and beyond. These achievement gaps are difficult and expensive to close with K-12 education alone. We can help ensure children show up to kindergarten ready to learn by providing our youngest learners with access to high-quality early childhood programs where they can develop the full range of skills necessary to succeed in school.

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