The U.S. News and World Report – Terry McAuliffe
“The research is clear: The early years of a child’s life are some of the most formative for his or her cognitive and emotional development. Given the importance of early learning and the growing consensus surrounding the benefits of quality preschool programs, it’s no surprise that local, state and federal leaders nationwide, of all political stripes, have begun rallying behind efforts to expand access to high-quality early childhood programs. That’s why last year, in order to ensure that we are doing all we can to best serve Virginia’s children, I created the Children’s Cabinet and the Commonwealth Council on Childhood Success. The council is specifically focused on those crucial early years of a child’s development, and is working to assess current programs, services and public resources so that we can develop effective programs best tailored to foster the health, growth and cognitive development of children. But while the benefits of early childhood education programs are clear, in Virginia – as well as throughout much of the country – access to quality preschool remains financially out of reach for thousands of families. As a result, many of our nation’s youngest and most vulnerable individuals are starting their K-12 schooling a step behind their peers from more affluent families. It’s time to change that.”(more)