Presidential Candidates on Early Education

The laudable, now pro-forma tidal wave of post-debate fact-checking ignored a subtle but profound misunderstanding that came near the end of Wednesday's third and final presidential debate at Hofstra University. But no wonder, the issue was education -- and early education -- a forgotten stepchild of this presidential campaign. But it may become a very important topic after Jan. 20, 2009.

Sen. Barack Obama, for the second time in the presidential debates, singled out early education as an area in need of greater investment. Obama's platform includes a new $10 billion investment in early childhood. McCain's tosses a few crumbs. It might finally behoove pundits, fact-checkers and campaign reporters to start becoming better-versed in the topic.

After Sen. Barack Obama volunteered again Wednesday he wanted to make new investments on early education, Sen. John McCain followed by discussing the Head Start program.

"I think the Head Start program is a great program," McCain said. "A lot of people, including me, said, look, it's not doing what it should do. By the third grade, many times, children who were in the Head Start program aren't any better off than the others."

McCain certainly isn't the first to misconstrue Head Start results. He probably won't be the last.

Some studies have documented a gradual "fade out" of cognitive and academic skills as children advance in school. McCain's reference was to one conducted in 1969. But, sustaining the gains for at-risk kids who have had significant exposure to high-quality early childhood education depends on the quality of elementary schools to which they continue, and that is generally not taken into account in these studies. That's not an argument for giving up on quality early education; that's an argument for strengthening our K-12 system, particularly for the most at-risk students.

The effect that quality preschool has on cognitive skills may fade over time when a child moves to a substandard school. But other important effects persist, regardless of elementary or secondary school quality. Looking far beyond third grade, longitudinal studies of participants in other rigorouslyimplemented early education programs found that social and emotional gains made by at-risk kids in quality early learning programs do not fade out. And that may be early learning's most important contribution to later academic and life success. Those social-emotional skills include physical and mental health, perseverance, attention, motivation and self-confidence.

Some may pooh-pooh social-emotional skills as "soft." In fact, research shows these skills figure significantly into whether a child develops into a successful student and productive adult. At-risk children who have quality early childhood education score higher in these categories and sustain the advantage into adulthood. Don't take it from me, take it from the research of Nobel Laureate James Heckman, an economist at the University of Chicago, not exactly a breeding ground of mushy-headed romanticism.

Other advantages of quality early education -- from lower special education and remedial education costs to higher graduation rates, reduced crime and even higher adult earnings -- make it one of the most cost-effective public investments available.

When it starts early and is implemented well, Head Start lives up to the promise and potential documented in other early education programs. One aspect of Head Start McCain didn't mention is Early Head Start, a little known set-aside for at-risk infants and toddlers within Head Start, widely acknowledged for its high quality.

The Early Head Start Research and Evaluation Project, a randomized federal study involving 3,000 families, found particularly significant benefits among African-American families as well as among families who enrolled during pregnancy. McCain wrapped up his knock on Head Start by calling for reform.

"Let's reform it and fund it," he said. "We need to reform these programs. We need to have transparency. We need to have rewards. It's a system that cries out for accountability and transparency and the adequate funding."

Good news, Senator. Head Start has been "reformed." The most recent reauthorization of Head Start, approved last year, raised teacher standards, increased competition and added greater accountability. Few of those reforms will take, however, without greater funding. Head Start has been in a virtual flat-funded dry gulch for the last eight years. So where's the "adequate funding" to get those reforms working?

Comments

[BambiF]

I am amused that no one mentioned McCain's comments that people coming home from the war should be able to move into teaching positions without "all the certifications and stuff" (paraphrasing.)

I have a daughter who is currently jumping through the educational and governmental hoops to become a teacher....so this off the cuff "solution" of Mr. McCain just stuck in my craw.

[BrighterStar]

If early education is a good thing does that automatically mean that the federal government should have an early education program? It seems the mantra from Obama is that all things that should be done should be done by the federal government.

[pumpkin]

Is the county or state in which you live able to fully fund such a program?

[skssn]

McCains obvious ignorance on Head Start was bad enough, but what about his comment where he said with Troops to Teachers we should bring the troops home and let them enter the classroom as teachers "without the certification or examinations that some states require"? I have not seen anyone pick that up, and am a little confused. How does putting possibly (probably) more unqualified teachers in our classrooms improve education?

[vicenteduq]

Education matters a lot for the Future, we all know that, but Demographic change makes it more urgent.

There is a population change and Latinos, Blacks, Racials and Multiracials are becoming a larger and larger part of the population.

In California and Texas as much as 20% of students in schools are latinos.

According to the US Census Bureau Projections the non Whites will be a national majority by year 2042. This will be true in certain states first and later in others.

Much sooner, In two decades Youngsters will be mostly non Whites, and that will mean a Great Change in Voters. Students should be prepared in schools for political responsibilities.


The Obama Coalition consists of : Blacks, Hispanics, Asians, Native Americans, Multiracials, White Youth, The Educated and Cultured Whites, The Moderate and Tolerant Protestants, Catholics, Italians, Irish, even White Women ????

The Coalition has a great future for many years or decades to come, because of these Demographic Changes. This will be a political change of more than eight years.

http://milenials.blogspot.com/

http://tossUpStates.blogspot.com/

Vicente Duque

[HockeyMom]

Republicans are in the process of losing the election, but also their "brand". They will stay lost for many years to come until the younger generation raises up and takes over. Thinking of the saying "from my cold dead hands" it will be many years to come until the Republicans can re-invent themselves.

[abra1967]

I am a Montessori teacher and I teach in Northern Virginia. When I hear Senator Obama reaffirm the need to invest in early childhood education I get really excited. Not everyone knows about Montessori education and if they do they may not be able to afford it. It sincerely puts Head Start to shame. Senator Obama could make Montessori education accessible to so many families that could benefit from it greatly. As a former single mother, I worked 3 jobs to make sure that my child had a Montessori primary education. Today as a married mother of two, my youngest is now receiving a Montessori education. He is 3 and was able to read shortly after turning 3. It depends on how serious you are as a parent to want a quality education for your child. I don't want to hear I can't. I have been through some really tough times and if your priorities are straight you can clear any obstacle in your path.

[PhDiva]

You cannot claim to be pro "life" and then be anti-education. I am an African American college professor, and I was a head start volunteer in high school. There is a connection. I see the results of early childhood education 15 years after students have benefitted from these programs. McCain's dismissal of head start was shocking and upsetting to me. Thank you for calling attention to this important issue.

[dcwblackhorse]

As a 2nd grade teacher in a low socioeconomic area I am so thankful that Sen. Obama is looking at the importance of early childhood education. What has impressed me even more is his continued mention of the importance of parents shouldering their responsibility!! I firmly believe our educational future has no hope of being in the lead again unless there's a way to hold parents accountable for helping with their child's education. I can't tell you how frustrating it is to put in frequent 10 hour days and many weekend hours working on ideas and helping kids on my own time, pouring my own money into supplies for kids to have at home yet not be able to get parents to sit down and spend 30 minutes a day helping with homework. They would rather be angry at the teacher or school in general. These same parents who are quick to complain but cant be bothered to meet with me regarding my concerns about their child. I believe Sen. Obama will at least get started addressing some of this. He also, thankfully realizes a child's potential and ability can't be based on a single standardized test a year. Just one tiny reason out of many he has my vote. Which just for the record...I'm white, female, middle class and consider myself to be a sincere Christian.

[HockeyMom]

I hope you realize how intimidating your class room and others can be to an "un-educated" parent.

Your white middle class-ness could even make it worst. Your wonderful enthusiasm can be quite debasing.

If we had the resources we could make the bridge between the education of the child and including the parent easier.

Bringing in the parent is a bridge to the future, and many want to come in and help...but the question is always how.

[dcwblackhorse]

I actually do realize this as I grew up with parents that were both poor and uneducated. I am completely baffled by your comment about my enthusiasm being "debasing". Frankly I've spent my entire life learning about and immersing myself in other cultures because I love diversity. I've always made it my goal to reach out to parents and have NOT approached concerns before highlighting the wonder of each child. You are right in one sense that parents are the bridge...but until they show a willingness to participate...