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May 16, 2010

Many benefits of high-quality early education

I would like to echo recent comments by Dana Connors, president of the Maine Chamber of Commerce, about Waterville's new Educare Center, a gold standard for early care and education.

Educare is not only important for Maine's business community and our economy, but also for our national security.

In my roles as adjutant general of the Maine National Guard and commissioner of the Department of Defense, Veterans and Emergency Management, I know that only 25 percent of Americans ages 17-24 qualify to service in our military.

Sadly, according to a 2009 Pentagon report, the other 75 percent are disqualified because they lack a high school degree, already have a criminal record or are physically unfit.

We need to turn these statistics around. The best proven way to do so is high-quality early education.

Rigorous research studies, such as the Perry Preschool Study, have shown that early education increases graduation rates and reduces arrest rates. In one study, children in a high-quality early education program were 44 percent more likely to graduate high school and less likely to become involved in crime.

Centers of excellence in early learning and care, such as Educare, are critical to improve and expand access to high-quality early learning programs for at-risk kids.

Investing in early education will have a positive benefit for our workforce as well as the military. I know from my military experience what it takes to maintain a strong fighting force. We need to make sure the next generation of Americans is up to the task.

John W. Libby

Sidney

Maine National Guard

Department of Defense, Veterans

and Emergency Management

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