Letter: Keep a full budget for early education

EDITOR: My compliments to Petaluma City Schools for moving forward with plans to offer transitional kindergarten to children in Petaluma. (“Prep school for kindergarten,” Feb. 6.) Research confirms what I know from experience: high quality early education is one of the best ways to keep kids in school, on track towards graduation and away from crime.

Children who attend high-quality early care and education programs are better prepared for kindergarten, develop stronger language skills and are less likely to repeat a grade or drop out. They are far less likely to become criminals: one study found children left out of a quality preschool program were five times more likely to become chronic offenders.

High-quality early care and education offers one of the highest returns of any public investment, up to $16 for every dollar invested, by reducing future expenditures for special education, public assistance and the criminal justice system. Quality early education saves lives and money.

The current budget proposal would have a devastating impact on access to high-quality early education in the short term and on public safety in the years ahead. I strongly urge policymakers to protect this crucial funding.

Chief Dan Fish, Petaluma Police Department