Yvonne Abraham astutely recognized the link between access to high-quality early education and the future prosperity of the Commonwealth (“Educate tots, as Okla. does,” Metro, May 4).
Recent research has found learning gaps in children from lower-income families as early as at 18 months old. Children who start school behind are likely to remain behind.
The Patrick administration believes that early education provides children with a strong foundation for success in school, careers, and beyond.
In Massachusetts, 41 percent of children do not attend preschool. We cannot afford to let this important opportunity be out of reach for any child.
We can either invest in their education now, or risk failing them and paying higher social and economic costs later.