It's so great to see you guys, see everybody here today. What a great turn-out! I just want to thank you so much for being at the Capitol and to talk and keep Oregon's pre-kindergarten, Oregon's Head Start at the front of these discussions here at the Capitol.
I've been a supporter of early childhood education for a long time, when budget times were better and now with our many budget challenges. I've been on the board of Birth To Three for nearly a decade and I know just how important these programs are.
Early childhood is a critical time for children to develop a physical, emotional, social and cognitive skills that they will need to be successful in school and for the rest of their lives and that's why you are all here (applause).
Strong education in these early years gives our children a strong start. Students who are successful in school grow up dreaming of being successful scientists, artists, and yes, even politicians. They grow up believing that they have the power to change the world. Children who get a slower start, who fall behind, who don't get the help that they need, their dreams fade until they no longer dream at all. For Oregon, pre-kindergarten is one way to keep dreams alive for all of our children.
Oregon pre-kindergarten gives kids who might not have a lot of reason to hope for a bright future, a chance to dream of a better tomorrow. So we must insure that our children are equipped with the basic skills needed to begin school ready to learn. As Superintendent this is one of my highest priorities.
Some people say that we can't afford to fund pre-kindergarten because of the current economic conditions. Well I say Oregon can't afford not to invest in pre-kindergarten (loud applause) because the cost is too great. According to research on the cost and benefit of early childhood education, early childhood education more than pays for itself. In a study of Michigan children, those who did not attend pre-school were twice as likely to later be placed in special education classes, and a third less likely to graduate on-time. Oregon pre-kindergarten should be a focus of our education budget.
Last summer a report was issued from a bi-partisan organization of Oregon law enforcement leaders and crime victims. The report included a number of studies that linked early-childhood education with reduced crime, including a study that showed that youngsters who attended pre-school were five times less likely to become chronic law-breakers by age 27, than those who did not attend pre-school. And that is why investment in high-quality pre-kindergarten programs has been endorsed by the Oregon Association of Chiefs of Police and the Oregon Sheriff's Association, as well as national law enforcement organizations, such as the National District Attorney's Association and the Fraternal Order of Police. Oregon pre-kindergarten should be at the center of Oregon's public safety budget.
Another study out of Chicago showed that government-funded pre-kindergarten programs saved taxpayers, victims, and participants more than $7 for every public dollar invested (applause). And other studies place this rate much higher, a return of $12 for every dollar invested. With this rate of return, Oregon pre-kindergarten should be at the center of Oregon's economic development strategy.
In the 2001-02 school year, the number of Oregon children served with pre-kindergarten programs was 9742. In the 2003-04 school year, that number fell to 9485. We went from serving 62% of eligible children to 59% of eligible children. The legislature is currently considering a funding level that serves only 53% of eligible children (crowd shouts "no").
I agree that we have many needs in our state budget, but this is really a case of penny-wise and pound-foolish. We have solid evidence of what a lot of child advocates, like all of you, have known for a long time: that pre-kindergarten programs have a big pay-off. Failure to invest in our children moves us backward and we will feel the effects far down the road. I have committed to leading the change for more money for Oregon pre-kindergarten (loud cheers). I have told the Governor and lawmakers that should any money be added to the present budget that money needs to go to both the state school fund and Oregon pre-kindergarten. It's that important.
Lets fund hope for Oregon children, lets fund the dreams of our children. Lets fund Oregon pre-kindergarten and Head Start (loud cheers).
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -