Through the Eyes of a Business

Nationally, limited literacy skills cost business and taxpayers approximately $20 billion per year in lost wages, profits, and productivity.  In Texas, more and more business leaders understand that investing in high quality early childhood education is a sound economic development plan for the future of the state.

Thanks to brain research now available, a growing proportion of the business community is aware that brain development during the early years occurs at a faster rate than any other subsequent period and sets the foundation for later success in school and life.  Employers have a vested interest in the educational achievement of today's students and know that in order to create a highly skilled workforce for the future; they can play a role in establishing a solid education foundation for children today.

The recent study conducted by the Bush School of Government and Public service at Texas A&M University demonstrating that for every $1 invested in high quality early childhood education at least $3.50 is returned to Texas communities resonates with business leaders seeking a strong future workforce.  The U.S. Chamber of Commerce reports that 90% of the fastest growing jobs require some form of postsecondary education; however, Texas has a fairly small percentage of students enrolled in postsecondary education actually completing their degree.  As a result, corporations are experiencing difficulty finding a skilled labor supply within Texas and are forced to recruit employees outside of state and national borders.  Many of these leaders are forming formal partnerships with the education community at the state and local levels to raise awareness of the benefits of high quality early childhood education and develop public policies that promote educational opportunities for Texas children as well as economic development benefits for Texas communities. 

We encourage you to utilize the tools below to reach out to business leaders in your community to partner with you in your public education and advocacy efforts.

Helpful Tools:

Updated! Cost Benefit Summary Fact Sheet

Why Investing in Early Childhood Education Makes Business Sense

Tips for Engaging Business Leaders in the Early Childhood Education Movement

Sample Opinion Editorial Article by JR Gonzales

Research and Resources for Employer Supported Child Care

It's Good Business to Invest in Child Care

How Does High Quality Child Care Benefit Business and the Local Economy

For additional information on the economic benefits of early childhood education and Texas Fast Facts, don't forget to look at the March and April materials!

 In the Media:

AT&T CEO Says Hard to Find Skilled US Workers

Statewide Business and Education Collaboratives:

Raise Your Hand Texas

Texas Business and Education Coalition

Examples of Local Initiatives:

Austin Area Employer's Collaborative

Champions for Children in Tyler

Corporate Champions for Children in Fort Worth

Corporate Hands in Houston

SMART START of San Antonio

Relevant Events:

Third National GrandRally for Grandparents and Other Relatives Raising Children on May 7 in Washington D.C. organized by the Children's Defense Fund.  For more information, visit http://www.childrensdefense.org/site/PageServer?pagename=grandrally_home.

May is Mental Health Month and the National Federation of Families for Children's Mental Health again declares the first full week in May, May 4 -10 as National Children's Mental Health Awareness Week . Chapters and State Organizations across the nation are meeting weekly to share ideas and resources for how to make Children's Mental Health Awareness Week 2008 the most successful week ever! For more information, visit http://www.ffcmh.org/ .

Mark your calendar for May 8 to attend a 0-3 Symposium in Austin, TX.  Raising Texas and the LBJ School Center for Health and Social Policy is sponsoring Dr. Walter Gilliam from Yale University to speak on
"Pre-Kindergarteners Left Behind: Expulsion Rates in State Prekindergarten Systems" at the Thompson Center on the University of Texas campus.  To reserve a space please contact Alicia Williams at Alicia.Williams@hhsc.state.tx.us .