Image via New York Times
In Sunday’s New York Times, Nicholas Kristof wrote a compelling Op-Ed on one red state’s surprising victory with early education. Did you know that when it comes to early education Oklahoma is at the forefront in providing access to early education?
This may come as a surprise to both liberals and conservatives, but as Kristof writes, “It’s promising that here in Oklahoma, early education isn’t seen as a Republican or Democratic initiative. It is simply considered an experiment that works. After all, why should we squander human capacity and perpetuate social problems as happens when we don’t reach these kids in time?”
One Republican Tulsa City Councilman, Skip Steele, put it this way: “This isn’t a liberal issue. This is investing in our kids, in our future. It’s a no-brainer.”
But Oklahoma doesn’t just have bipartisan support, they also have outcomes. Researches from Georgetown University have found gains in pre- reading, writing and math skills, as well as improvements in social skills. They estimate that the benefits from their program will offset the costs by at least 3:1.
Kristof’s charge? For Republicans and Democrats to embrace what he terms “The Oklahoma Project,” “not because it’s liberal or conservative, but because it’s what is best for our kids and our country.”
No matter what your political preference may be, when you look at the facts, it just makes sense. Learn more about the business case for investing in early education here.
Read Kristof’s full Op-Ed here.