Issue Position: Early Childhood Education

Issue Position

A child's education begins at the moment of birth. Research has proven beyond any doubt that young children who are immersed in a stimulating learning environment perform much better in their subsequent school years. They also do much better at problem solving and other complex intellectual tasks throughout the course of their lives.

My father, Dr. Lynn Ourth, is a Ph.D. child development expert and one of the nation's leading researchers in the field. He and other top academics involved in the discipline all agree: there is nothing of any greater value we can offer our children -- or our society -- than a world-class early childhood education. My son had the advantage of an early childhood learning program. It has proven remarkable in terms of his growth and development; he was reading before kindergarten.

As your state representative, I will provide a strong voice for our young children. I will fight to make sure every little Iowan has access to excellent educational opportunities from the very beginning, opportunities that prepare them to grow and flourish during a lifetime made rich through learning.

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