MARCH-Investing in Children is a Recipe for Economic Success!

Investing in high quality early childhood education is a sound economic development plan for the future of Texas. The Federal Reserve Bank and other economists contend that no public investment provides a greater return than the support of early childhood education and development. While projections of the long-term returns on investment for early childhood education are clear and convincing, equally compelling research exists linking early childhood education to more immediate reduced state expenditures for remedial education and unnecessary referrals to special education programs. It is up to us to educate candidates, policymakers, the media, as well as new leaders about the link between high quality early childhood education programs and the economic success of Texas communities.  

Helpful Materials
Please use the following materials throughout March as you work to educate key groups about how “Investing in Children is a Recipe for Economic Success!”

Example Opinion Editorial    

Key Reports and Quotes    

Tips for Engaging Leaders in the Early Childhood Education Movement

Earning a Gold Star Brochure

Framing the Economic Development Message

Press Release

March Press Release
TECEC responds to the release of "The State of Preschool: 2005 State Preschool Yearbook," an annual report released by the National Institute for Early Education Research (NIEER). The report ranks states based on access to, resources for, and quality of state preschool initiatives for the 2004-2005 school year. Texas ranked high in access but below average on standards. To view the complete report, visit the NIEER website at http://nieer.org/yearbook/ .  


Press Coverage

Houston Chronicle Online Edition
The article Study: Texas tops in state-funded preschool originally appeared in the Houston Chronicle Online Edition on March 23, 2006.

Dallas Morning News
The article Study: Preschool classes too big, spending too small, but training is just right originally appeared in the Dallas Morning News on March 24, 2006.

Last Updated: 3/24/06