MILAN: For the children

Kristi Milan supports quality public education — pre-K through post secondary — and, when elected Legislative District 4 Senator, she will continue her fight for all of Idaho’s children. This commitment has been strengthened both through the academic successes or her children educated right here in Coeur d’Alene schools, and through her 17 years of teaching in Kootenai County public schools.

We hear talk and see billboards touting the importance of “Go On” to college, which we all agree is critical for the success of our students and communities. However, what some legislators overlook — or simply ignore — is the important role early childhood education plays in this goal. There is a direct correlation between preschool enrollment and the college completion rates among the world’s leading economies. Study after study after study supports the same conclusion: early childhood education has a tremendous impact on the lives of children. Early childhood education has also had an impact on lowering juvenile and adult incarceration rates, school suspensions/expulsions, etc. The list goes on and on. Quality preschool education is the missing piece in Idaho’s pursuit for student success.

Too many of Idaho’s legislators are blind to the everyday realities of today’s families. “Only five states do not invest state funds into preschool programs. Support for preschool transcends partisan labels, with 22 states with Republican governors and 10 states with Democratic governors increasing funding for pre-K programs in 2015-2016” (“50-State Review” ecs.org). It’s time for legislation that matches the needs and realities of today’s families and children.

Invest in Idaho’s future; support our children; and vote Milan on Nov. 8.

JAN STUDER

Coeur d’Alene