Bay Area Report Citing Lack Of Affordable, Quality Early Childhood Education and Care Alternatives Supports National Issue
Moving from national to more local politics related to education, last week I represented Knowledge Universe at the Board of Directors Meeting of Bay Area Council.
This prestigious organization is composed of business leaders from the nine counties in the San Francisco Bay Area who have come together to improve the quality of life in this area. With representation of close to 300 businesses, the Bay Area Council has mobilized around several critical issues that impact all the citizenry of these diverse communities.
Not surprisingly, education and specifically early childhood education is one of the key priorities of this impressive group. Led by Ken McNeely, President of AT&T California, the Early Childhood Education (ECE) Committee recognizes that providing quality experiences for young children is not only a social imperative, it is a business issue that will impact not only the children directly served, but the long term economic prosperity of the region and our global competitiveness.
An important work product of this Committee was a comprehensive report issued last May, Key to Economic Success in the 21st Century: Investment in Early Childhood Programs. This report provides an overview of the research that supports the case for early childhood education as well as an analysis of the current status of ECE in the Bay Area.
Despite the region’s reputation for innovation and thought leadership, the report highlights significant gaps in both the accessibility and affordability of quality care alternatives for children of all backgrounds, with only about one-third of eligible Bay Area children receiving child care subsidies. Unfortunately, this sad state of America’s children is pervasive around the country.
As politicians debate health care reform, the war in Afghanistan, and our economic recovery, please remember that as parents we have a unique opportunity to raise our collective voices on behalf of our children and their future. Please stay as actively involved in your child’s education as you can–whatever the setting, whatever your child’s age. As a parent, I encourage you to contact your State and Local Representatives on this issue. You can find their contact information at: http://www.usa.gov/Contact/Elected.shtml
Only with your advocacy and involvement will the children of today become prepared to be the leaders of tomorrow.
Tags: bay area council, california, early childhood education, ece, san francisco
Uncategorized | Elanna | 
December 8, 2009 7:52 pm
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