CED
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20036
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CED's EARLY EDUCATION PROJECT
- Introduction
- 2007 Conference: Building the Economic Case for Investments in Children
- Papers & Reports
- CED Endorsement Campaign
- Early Education Forums
- 2006 Conference: Building the Economic Case for Investments in Preschool
- Guiding Principles for Early Education
- CED's Early Education Newsletters and Issue Briefs
- Media Coverage of Early Childhood Efforts
- Early Education Links
- Questions?
Introduction
All children deserve the opportunity to start school ready to learn, both mentally and physically. As other industrialized countries have recognized, both a child's future and a nation's economic future increasingly depends on giving children a strong start. CED Trustees have a long-held belief that the development and education of all children from the earliest stages of their lives must be a national priority.
Since the 2002 release of its groundbreaking early education report, Preschool for All: Investing in a Productive and Just Society, CED has been engaged in an aggressive national campaign to build momentum surrounding investment in early education. The report calls for free, high quality preschool education for all children age 3 and over who have not yet entered kindergarten.
To further this message, CED has hosted numerous forums across the country to create an active network of business leaders to promote the need for quality early childhood education in their community and across the country.
On June 28, 2006, CED released The Economic Promise of Investing in High-Quality Preschool: Using Early Education to Improve Economic Growth and the Fiscal Sustainability of States and the Nation, which illustrates the economic benefits of quality preschool. The release event, held at the FedEx Institute of Technology at The University of Memphis, featured remarks from Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen, Dr. Shirley Raines, President, University of Memphis, Daniel Rose, Chairman, Rose Associates, Inc., Ira A. Lipman, Founder and Chairman, Guardsmark, LLC, Susan Urahn, Director of State Policy Initiatives, The Pew Charitable Trusts, and Charles Kolb, CED President. The study finds that American children, the United States’ economy and our society can greatly benefit from improved and expanded early childhood education programs.
This report, funded by The Pew Charitable Trusts through its “Advancing Quality Pre-K for All” initiative, comes on the heels of the second annual conference on Building the Economic Case for Investments in Preschool, held in New York City on January 10, 2006. With support from The Pew Charitable Trusts and PNC Financial Services, Inc., over 200 business leaders and education experts came together at the conference to discuss local, state, and national efforts to establish universal, quality pre-kindergarten for all American children.
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Building the Economic Case for Investments in Children
The Annual Conference of the Partnership for America’s Economic Success
Convened by the Partnership for America’s Economic Success,
with support from the Committee for Economic Development and PNC Financial Services, Inc.
March 7, 2007
National Press Club
Washington, DC
Speakers included George Kaiser, Susan Urahn, and Brian Gallagher.
On March 7, 2007, the Partnership for America’s Economic Success, with support from CED and PNC Financial Services Group, Inc., hosted the annual Building the Economic Case for Investments in Children at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. Over 200 business leaders, policymakers, and members of the nonprofit community convened to discuss how investments in children can improve America’s workforce and future economic well-being. The all day session focused on ways the business community can improve early education in the United States and get more business leaders involved with the issue. Speakers included: George Kaiser, President & CEO, Kaiser-Francis Oil; Shirley Raines, President, University of Memphis; Brian Gallagher, President and CEO, United Way of America; and Robert Dugger, Managing Director, Tudor Investment Corporation. Several speakers at the all-day conference pointed out that investments in early education pay huge dividends as the children perform better in school, get into college, and – ultimately become productive members of the American workforce.
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CONFERENCE MATERIALS |
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CONFERENCE SPEAKERS, VIDEO, and PRESENTATIONS |
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--- Welcome & Introduction --- |
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Susan Urahn |
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Rob Dugger |
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Daniel Pederson
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--- Keynote Speaker --- |
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George Kaiser
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Strategy: |
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Rachel Jones, moderator |
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Shirley Raines |
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Robbin Johnson |
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James W. Dunn
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Strategy: |
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Michael Petit, moderator |
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C. Eugene Steuerle |
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Frank Luntz |
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Mike Henry
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--- Luncheon --- |
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Kenneth A. Burdick
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--- New Evidence on the Economic Impact of Investments in Young Children --- |
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Ann Segal, moderator |
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Nicholas Burnett |
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Greg Duncan |
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Bernard Guyer
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--- Breakout Sessions --- |
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Roy Miller |
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Paul O’Brien |
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Carrie Schum |
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Sara Watson
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Closing Remarks: |
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Brian A. Gallagher
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Papers & Reports
 The Economic Promise of Investing in High-Quality Preschool: Using Early Education to Improve Economic Growth and the Fiscal Sustainability of States and the Nation, was released at the FedEx Institute of Technology at The University of Memphis in Memphis, TN on June 28, 2006 and in Washington, DC on July 25, 2006. The luncheon forums attracted representatives from the local and state business, education, and civic community.
The Washington forum featured keynote remarks from CED Trustee James E. Rohr, Chairman and CEO of PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. He was joined by Trustees Robert Dugger, Managing Director of Tudor Investment Corporation, and Daniel Rose, Chairman of Rose Associates, Inc. The three men served as co-chairs of the CED subcommittee that produced the policy statement. They were followed by a panel discussion with Donna Desrochers, CED Vice President and Director of Education Studies; Noel Epstein, author and former Education Editor at The Washington Post; and Sara Watson, Senior Program Officer, State Policy Initiatives, The Pew Charitable Trusts. The event also featured the release of a list of business leaders from across the country who endorse the recommendations of the new report. The Memphis program featured remarks from Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen, Dr. Shirley Raines, President, University of Memphis, Daniel Rose, Chairman, Rose Associates, Inc., Ira A. Lipman, Founder and Chairman, Guardsmark, LLC, Susan Urahn, Director of State Policy Initiatives, The Pew Charitable Trusts, and Charles Kolb, CED President. The release also included a tour of the Barbara K. Lipman Early Childhood School and Research Institute at the University of Memphis. The study, sponsored by a grant from The Pew Charitable Trusts, finds that American children, the United States’ economy and our society can greatly benefit from improved and expanded early childhood education programs. Preschool programs prepare students for early educational success, but investing in high-quality early education also has long-lasting effects, improving students' outcomes well into their adolescent and adult years. Economically, the long-term impacts of preschool programs translate into significant public and private benefits, with returns far exceeding the costs. Generating the expected returns requires investments in high-quality programs employing well-trained teachers that help children develop their academic, social, emotional, and physical skills. CED’s recommendations include: 
Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen takes questions about his statewide initiative to improve early childhood care.
CED Trustee Daniel Rose, Chairman of Rose Associates, Inc., urges the business community to endorse CED’s newest policy recommendations on early education.
Joshua S Lipman, Executive Vice President of Guardsmark, LLC, meets with a preschooler attending the Barbara K. Lipman Early Childhood School and Research Institute at the University of Memphis.
Summary | Press Release | Full Report | Endorsers |
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For too long, the United States has paid lip service to the importance of preschool opportunities that prepare children for school without undertaking the level of investment needed to turn promise into reality. CED is arguing that it is time to make good on the commitment to provide early learning opportunities for all. In Preschool for All, CED calls for a new compact between the state and federal governments to make free, high-quality early education available and to help close the achievement gap. This strong federal and state partnership would expand access to high-quality learning opportunities and link providers and programs into coherent state-based education systems. Full Report, Summary, Press Release 
The Economic Benefits of High-Quality Early Childhood Programs: What Makes the Difference? describes the most successful prekindergarten programs and the elements contributed to their success. The report was written by Ellen Galinsky of the Families and Work Institute and released by CED in February, 2006. |
Taking Preschool Education Seriously as an Economic Development Program Full Report, Technical Report, Slide Presentation
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Preschool for All: Investing in a Productive and
Just Society was released in Washington D.C. on February 5,
2002. In it, CED argues that all children should have access to
high-quality prekindergarten classes, offered by a variety of providers,
for all children whose parents want them to participate.
CED Endorsement Campaign
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After the 2006 release of The Economic Promise of Investing in High-Quality Preschool: Using Early Education to Improve Economic Growth and the Fiscal Sustainability of States and the Nation, CED launched a campaign to recruit public endorsers of our early education recommendations. To review CED’s recommendations, please look under Papers and Reports. To endorse CED’s recommendations or to review the endorsement form, please click HERE. Click HERE to read the list of endorsers. |
Early Education Forums
Economic Summit for Wisconsin Leadership Teams:
Building the Case for Economic Investments in Early Childhood Edcuation
April 28, 2008, Madison, WI — With support from the Buffett Early Childhood Fund CED co-hosted the economic summit Building the Case for Investments in Early Childhood Development in Madison, Wisconsin on April 28. This summit continued support for select community teams in building on the successes of previous CED funded events in Wisconsin. Regional teams of eight to ten community leaders, representing business, philanthropy, economic development, service groups, early education, and media attended. The goal of this event was to continue to engage and mobilize community leadership teams around the importance of early childhood investments in economic development.
Keynote speaker Rob Grunewald [video], Associate Economist at the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis, underscored the significant return on investment of high quality early education programs. Additional speakers included Judy Cameron [video], a member of Harvard University’s National Scientific Council on the Developing Child, Secretary of the Department of Workforce Development Roberta Gassman [video], and Elaine Weiss [video], Senior Associate at Partnership for America’s Economic Success.
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Videos |
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Rob Grunewald
Associate Economist at the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis |
Robertta Gassman
Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development |
Judy Cameron
Harvard University’s National Scientific Council on the Developing Child |
Early Childhood Education: Governor Kathleen Sebelius Addresses Business And Education Leaders In Overland Park, KS
Chairman, President & CEO of Great Plains Energy Services and CED Trustee Michael Chesser
April 17, 2008, Overland Park, KS — On April 17, 2008, CED, in partnership with early childhood leadership teams from Wyandotte and Johnson Counties, hosted an event on the importance of investing in early childhood development. Chairman, President & CEO of Great Plains Energy Services and CED Trustee Michael Chesser (pictured) welcomed the audience of education and business leaders from the Kansas City area.
In her keynote remarks, Governor Kathleen Sebelius (pictured) outlined her proposal to increase funding for early education, and asked the audience to contact their state legislators to urge their support for the proposal. If America is to compete in the international marketplace, said Sebelius, it cannot afford to leave 20% of its workforce insufficiently educated. After the governor’s remarks, Flavio Cunha, Associate Professor of Economics at the University of Pennsylvania presented his research on the economic impact of investing in early childhood education. Judith Carta, Principle Investigator & Sr. Scientist, Juniper Gardens Children’s Project discussed the cognitive benefits of investing in early childhood development.
Local businessman Robert D. Regnier, President, Bank of Blue Valley, delivered closing remarks, in which he appealed to all business leaders to take an active role in advocating increased awareness of, and funding for, early childhood education.
Additional materials
» Audio Recording of keynote remarks and panel discussion
» Judith Carta’s Powerpoint presentation
» Flavio Cunha’s Powerpoint presentation
CED, the Richmond Chamber of Commerce and the University of Richmond Robins School of Business Host Business Students and Regional Leaders in Forum on the Economic Benefits of Investments in Early Education
High-quality early education is one of the most effective investments available to stimulate long term economic growth. Decades of research from the economic and policy community has projected that for every dollar invested in high-quality early education, returns can range from $4 to $16. However, national policy makers have failed to enact fully-funded, universal pre-kindergarten programs. With at least 22 states currently facing budget shortfalls, early education funding will be a vulnerable priority. Virginia recently increased funding for the Virginia Preschool Initiative by $22 million.
March 31, 2008, Richmond, VA — CED, a national business-led public policy group, in partnership with the University of Richmond’s Robins School of Business and Greater Richmond Chamber hosted a forum on the economic promise of investing in early childhood development at the University of Richmond. Decades of research shows that when implemented effectively, high-quality early education programs fight poverty, reduce the likelihood of imprisonment, and increase likelihood of success in future education. Speakers included Virginia General Assembly Delegates Jennifer McClellan and Chris Peace; Edward Ayers, President, University of Richmond; James Dunn, President, Greater Richmond Chamber of Commerce; Tom Shields, Director, Center for Leadership in Education, University of Richmond; Sherrie Brach, CEO, United Way of Greater Richmond & Petersburg; Colleen A. Kraft, President, Virginia Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics; Gail W. Johnson, President, Rainbow Station and PRISM, Inc.; and Robert Lynch, Chair, Department of Economics, Washington College.
Virginia General Assembly Delegates Jennifer McClellan and Chris Peace discussed the importance of early education to bolster the future workforce but cite political challenges to supporting funding. Both emphasized that business support for early education has helped to make a difference in the Virginia budget debates. Delegate Chris Peace noted, "The Virginia Preschool Initiative passed in 1994, and recently renewed, recognized that the business community has long held that we ensure a highly skilled and educated workforce to compete in a global marketplace. To improve economic growth and the financial sustainability of our community, investments must be made in education at all levels." Delegate Peace also emphasized that the engaged student is less likely to engage in criminal activity, unemployment is less frequent and imprisonment less likely. The final budget compromise in the Virginia legislature on pre-kindergarten added $13 million to target on free lunch programs and added $9 million for incentive programs to serve more at-risk four year olds. Delegate Peace continued, "We must focus tax dollars on the poorest households who are often those who find themselves out of work as adults or in jail. If we are going to spend more money in the budget then we must target that investment- like a business would- to those who have the most critical need."
HIGH-QUALITY EARLY EDUCATION PAYS FOR ITSELF
Dr. Lynch, who recently testified before the House Appropriations Committee, stated, "In my own research, I analyzed the projected costs and benefits of an enhanced Head Start program that would serve all 2 million children who are eligible-- as opposed to less than half-- as it is now. A larger, improved Head Start program would generate total annual budgetary earnings and crime benefits that would eventually exceed the costs of the program by a ratio of more than 12 to 1 and annual government budget benefits alone that would outweigh the costs of the program by more than 3 to 1." Dr. Lynch added, "The policy of investing in early education is the best way to increase child well being, increase educational achievement and one of the best ways to reduce crime and creates a lasting benefit for children, their families and society at large."
This event is one in a series of forums CED is hosting across the country with support from the Buffett Early Childhood Fund in an effort to bring the message of the economic benefits of high quality early education to MBA students, who will be the next generation of business leaders. CED has built the case for investments in early education among American business leaders for over forty years. Graduate business students are America’s future business leaders, and the earlier they become involved with public policy issues the more likely they are to become corporate statesmen. As business leaders become exposed to the latest research showing the public-private benefits to early investments they begin to see early childhood education as a necessary ingredient to economic competitiveness.
Kristen Binette, a MBA student at the Robins School closed the forum with a call to action for future and current business leaders, "Together we desire a capable, skillful workforce that vigorously competes in the state, national and global levels. We are committed to focusing our efforts where they can be most effective, in early childhood."
Additional Materials
Forum Agenda
Speaker Bios
CED report, "The Economic Promise of Investing in High-Quality Preschool"
Success By 6 Brochure
Uniting For “A Fix That Works”
Lang, Managing Director, Lang-Mekra North discusses early childhood education in Columbia, South Carolina.
The United Way Association of South Carolina, Pew Charitable Trusts, and CED recently teamed up to produce a series of events that were part educational forum, and part call to action, on the importance of early childhood education. The goal was to galvanize business communities across the state into taking an active advocacy role in early education, focusing especially on 4K funding.
Over the course of four months, forums were held in Anderson, Charleston, Columbia, and Myrtle Beach. The events attracted key business leaders, as well as policy stake holders. Partnering organizations believe that the existing early education programs are not sufficient to cope with demand, and lag behind neighboring states. By urging business leaders to use their legislative and community wide influence, United Way hopes to see the passage of a bill that would pay for full-day four year old kindergarten programs for at risk children.
Learn more about CED’s early childhood education work.
Learn more about Pew Charitable Trust’s early childhood education work.
Learn more about The United Way Association of South Carolina’s early childhood education work.
CED Hosts Northeast Wisconsin Regional Economic Summit
November 30, 2007, Green Bay, WI — CED, along with 24 other sponsors, hosted the northeast Wisconsin regional economic summit Forward with our Children: Investing Early in our Future Workforce on November 30, 2007. Over 300 business, non-profit, and civic leaders filled the Kress Center at the University of Wisconsin - Green Bay to participate in this luncheon program, which was made possible with support from the Buffett Early Childhood Fund.
Keynote speaker, David Lawrence, President, Early Childhood Initiative Foundation and retired Publisher, the Miami Herald stressed the importance of investing in the country's youngest children and shared examples of successful efforts to improve early childhood education in south Florida. Other national and state level speakers included Barbara Lawton, Lieutenant Governor, State of Wisconsin; Charles Kolb, President, Committee for Economic Development (CED); Michael Burke, Program Director, Buffett Early Childhood Fund; and Roberta Gassman, Secretary, WI Department of Workforce Development.
Local speakers included Daniel Nerad, Superintendent, Green Bay Area Public Schools; Paul Jadin, President, Green Bay Area Chamber of Commerce; Gregg Hetue, President and CEO, Brown County United Way; and Ginny Riopelle, Chair, Green Bay Community Partners Committee.
Additional state and local speakers participated in two panel discussions. The first panel, Why Early Childhood Should Be a Priority, consisted of Nan Brien, Consultant, Southern Child Welfare Training Partnership; Elizabeth Burmaster, State Superintendent, WI Department of Public Instruction; and Dennis Winters, Chief Economic Advisor, WI Department of Workforce Development. Participants in the second panel, Regional Business & Community Leaders Perspectives, were Nancy Armbrust, Vice President of Education and Community Relations, Schreiber Foods; Jon Stellmacher, Exec. Vice President and Chief Admin. Officer, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans; Mark Skogen, President and CEO, Festival Foods; and George Kerwin, President and CEO, Bellin Health Systems.
The summit galvanized people from the public, non-profit, and private sectors to develop ways to work together to strengthen early education in their region. Evaluations completed by summit attendees indicated how impressed they were that the event brought together representatives of government, education, business, and the local community because as one attendee noted it will take a partnership between all these sectors "to make this work." Attendees left the summit charged and eager to be involved in local follow up activities.
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Videos |
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David Lawrence
President, Early Childhood Initiative Foundation and Retired Publisher, Miami Herald |
Barbara Lawton
Lieutenant Governor State of Wisconsin |
Jon Stellmacher
Exec. Vice President and Chief Admin. Officer Thrivent Financial for Lutherans |
CED Forum at Stanford University Highlights the
Economic Promise of High Quality Early Education for All
CED President Charlie Kolb and Stanford University GSB Education Club member Jimmy Henderson encouraged students to become corporate statesmen.
Keynote speaker Robert Dugger, CED Trustee and Managing Director, Tudor Investment Corporation, participated live via satellite and issued a call to action to the GSB students.
November 28, 2007, Palo Alto, CA — On November 28, 2007 CED brought the message of the economic benefits of high quality early education for all to Stanford University Graduate School of Business (GSB) students, who will be the next generation of business leaders. The Stanford luncheon forum was attended by over 60 people and gave tomorrow’s corporate statesmen an opportunity to engage with business, civic, and non-profit leaders currently addressing this critical issue.
Keynote speaker Robert Dugger, CED Trustee and Managing Director, Tudor Investment Corporation, participated live via satellite and issued a call to action to the GSB students to recognize the important voice business leaders bring to public policy discussions and to engage in the issues. Dr. Judy Cameron, Professor of Behavioral Neuroscience at the Oregon Health and Science University, underscored how early life experiences strongly impact future brain development.
A panel of San Francisco Bay area early education advocates provided local perspectives on the economic benefits of high quality early education. The panelists included:
- Fred Ferrer, CEO, The Health Trust
- Yolanda Garcia, Director of the E3 Institute, WestEd
- Phil Halperin, President, Silver Giving Foundation and former venture capitalist
Speakers from Stanford University included Dr. Robert Joss, CED Trustee and Dean, GSB; Deborah Stipek, Dean, School of Education; as well as Jimmy Henderson and Emily Rummo from the GSB Education Club leadership team.
This event was hosted by CED and the Stanford University GSB Education Club with generous support from the Buffett Early Childhood Fund.
CED Hosts Washington, D.C. Forum on
the Economic Promise of Investing in Pre-Kindergarten for All
Mike Harreld, President of PNC Bank of Greater Washington, discussed PNC’s Grow Up Great program and the role of business in supporting investments in early education.
Barbara Lang, President of the DC Chamber of Commerce and Ed Lazere, Executive Director of the DC Fiscal Policy Institute, both participated in the panel discussion.
On November 14, 2006, CED hosted a luncheon forum on The Economic Promise of Investing in Pre-Kindergarten for All at the J.W. Marriott Hotel in Washington, D.C. CED was pleased to work with Pre K for All DC, SPARK DC and the Georgetown Children’s House Endowment on the forum which attracted over 100 local business, civic and education leaders.
CED also released an issue brief on Financing Public Preschool Programs: Current Practices and Future Possibilities. To read the full brief, CLICK HERE, to read the executive summary, CLICK HERE.
CED was pleased to welcome Michael Harreld, President, PNC Bank, Greater Washington Area, as keynote speaker. Mr. Harreld highlighted the business arguments in favor of investing in quality early education programs, and discussed PNC’s Grow Up Great program.
Additional speakers included Carol Day, Incoming President, National Black Child Development Institute (NBCDI); Terrence Golden, Chairman, Federal City Council & Co-Chair, Pre K for All DC; Barbara Kamara, Administrator, DC DHS Early Care and Education Administration; Barbara Lang, President & CEO, DC Chamber of Commerce; Ed Lazere, Executive Director, DC Fiscal Policy Institute; Michael Petro, Vice President, CED; Isabel Sawhill, Senior Fellow, The Brookings Institution; and Carrie Thornhill, At-Large Member, Board of Education of the District of Columbia & Co-Chair, Pre K for All DC.
This was the first in a series of forums CED is hosting with the generous support of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. Read CED's Winter 2006 Investing in Early Education newsletter for more information.
Agenda | Speaker Biographies | Photos
CED Hosts Economic Development Summit for Southeast Wisconsin
Governor Jim Doyle stressed the importance of investing in Wisconsin's young children at the Milwaukee summit.
CED Trustee Jeff Joerres (left) and President Charlie Kolb both explained why it’s critical for business to support investments in young children.
On September 25, 2006, CED, along with 33 additional sponsors, hosted an economic development summit focusing on investments in young children. The summit, which was made possible with support from the Buffett Early Childhood Fund, was held at the offices of We Energies in Milwaukee, WI and attracted over 170 local and state business, policy and education leaders.
The summit included remarks from Roberta Gassman, Secretary, Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development; CED Trustee Jeff Joerres, Chairman, CEO & President, Manpower Inc.; Governor Jim Doyle; Charles Kolb, President, CED; Dan Pedersen, President, Buffett Early Childhood Fund; and Helen Johnson-Leipold, Chairman & CEO, Johnson Outdoors Inc., Chairman, Johnson Financial Group. Recorded video of the speakers' remarks are available below.
An interactive panel discussion included remarks from:
- Steven Barnett, Director, National Institute for Early Education Research
- Robert H. Dugger, Managing Director, Tudor Investment Corporation
- Dennis Mueller, Vice President, Gas Operations, Quanta Services, Inc.
- Sister Joel Read, Education Committee Chair, Greater Milwaukee Committee
This was the third in a series of early education forums CED is hosting with generous support from the Buffett Early Childhood Fund.
Agenda | Speaker Biographies | Sponsors | Videos | Photos
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Videos |
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Roberta Gassman
Secretary Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development |
Jeffrey A. Joerres
Chairman, CEO & President Manpower Inc. |
Honorable James Doyle
Governor State of Wisconsin |
Barry Griswell, CEO of the Principal Financial Group,
Keynotes Kearney, NE Early Education Forum
Barry Griswell stressed that business plays an important role in promoting investments in early education.
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On April 3, 2006, CED, along with the University of Nebraska at Kearney (UNK), the Buffett Early Childhood Fund, the Nebraska Children and Families Foundation, and United Way of the Kearney Area hosted a Kearney, Nebraska luncheon discussion on the importance of investing in early education. Barry Griswell, Chairman & CEO of The Principal Financial Group provided keynote remarks at the UNK forum. Over 150 business, policy and education leaders joined for the discussion, Early Education: A Smart Investment, which included remarks from:
- Doug Kristensen, Chancellor, University of Nebraska at Kearney
- Dan Pedersen, President, Buffett Early Childhood Fund
- Joseph J. Minarik, Senior Vice President & Director of Research, CED
Follow the links below for recorded videos from the luncheon:
Full Program (1 hour 11 minutes)
[watch video]
Buffett Early Childhood Fund Effort
Daniel Pedersen, President, Buffett Early Childhood Fund
[watch video]
National Business Perspective
Joseph J. Minarik, Senior Vice President & Director of Research, CED
[watch video]
Keynote Remarks
J. Barry Griswell, Chairman & CEO, The Principal Financial Group
[watch video]
Questions and Answers
[watch video]
CED, a member of the Birth to Five Policy Alliance, is grateful for the generous support of the Buffett Early Childhood Fund. The Kearney, Nebraska forum was the second in a series of forums CED is coordinating with support for the Buffett Early Childhood Fund.
George Kaiser Keynotes Tulsa Early Education Forum
(l to r) Ken Levit, Charles Kolb, Ginnie Graham, Steve Barnett, George Kaiser, Rob Dugger, Steve Turnbo and John Gaberino.
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George Kaiser, President & CEO, Kaiser-Francis Oil Company, in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
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Over 400 business, policy and academic leaders from across Oklahoma and Texas gathered at the DoubleTree Hotel in downtown Tulsa.
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On March 2, 2006, CED, along with the Tulsa Metro Chamber of Commerce, hosted over 400 business, policy and academic leaders at a Tulsa, OK luncheon discussion focusing on the economic benefits of investing in early education programs. This was the first in a series of early education forums CED will be hosting with generous support from the Buffett Early Childhood Fund.
The forum included keynote remarks from George Kaiser, President & CEO, Kaiser-Francis Oil Company, Chairman, BOK Financial Corporation.
An interactive panel discussion included remarks from:
- Dr. Steve Barnett, Director, National Institute for Early Education Research (NIEER)
- Robert Dugger, Managing Director, Tudor Investment Corporation
- John Gaberino, Senior Vice President and Special Counsel to the Chairman of the Board, ONEOK Inc.
- Ginnie Graham, Early Childhood Education Reporter, Tulsa World
Additional remarks were heard from: Steve Turnbo, Chair, Tulsa Metro Chamber of Commerce; Charles Kolb, President, CED; and Ken Levit, President, The University of Oklahoma at Tulsa.
Over the next three years, CED will be working closely with the Buffett Early Childhood Fund and members of the Birth to Five Policy Alliance to coordinate and host similar events targeting business leaders in key states with established or emerging Educare programs such as Nebraska, Wisconsin, and Kansas.
For more information on CED’s work with the Buffett Early Childhood Fund, please contact Amy Morse at 202-296-5860 ext.29 or amy.morse@ced.org.
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Convened by the Committee for Economic Development,
The Pew Charitable Trusts and PNC Financial Services Group
Tuesday, January 10, 2006
The Grand Hyatt Hotel
Park Avenue at Grand Central Terminal
New York, NY 10017
2006 Conference:
Building the Economic Case for Investments in Preschool
On January 10, 2006 at the New York Grand Hyatt Hotel, CED, The Pew Charitable Trusts, and PNC Financial Services, Inc. sponsored an all-day forum, Building the Economic Case for Investments in Preschool. Over 200 business leaders and education experts came together to discuss progress in local, state, and national efforts to establish universal, quality pre-kindergarten for all American children. Research shows that high-quality preschool offers long-term economic payoffs and near-term savings. The results of a new poll of business leaders by Zogby International on early education issues were released at the conference. The poll found that American business leaders overwhelmingly back public funding for pre-kindergarten for all children to keep the U.S. economy globally competitive.
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The New York conference featured many of the top early childhood experts in the world, including: James J. Heckman, Nobel Prize-winning economist; James E. Rohr, Chairman and CEO, The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc.; Rebecca W. Rimel, President and CEO, The Pew Charitable Trusts; Sandra Pianalto, President and CEO, Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland; Beverley Hughes [transcript], Minister of State (Children, Young People and Families) for Great Britain; Philip Murphy, Senior Director, The Goldman Sachs Group; Rob Dugger, Managing Director, Tudor Investments, Inc.; and Doug Price, Managing Director, Benjamin Douglas Companies.
The conference attendees represented 26 states and the District of Columbia. Also in attendance was a delegation of 24 coming from the United Kingdom. Of the 230 participants, well over 100 were business representatives. The majority of the other attendees are representing foundations, universities and think tanks. To carry forth the momentum from the conference, CED will be mailing out follow up surveys and video segments from the various panels and keynote remarks to make the message of universal preschool for all available to a larger audience.
Following the conference, CED, the PNC Financial Services Group and the Pew Charitable Trusts were pleased with media coverage that included: The New York Times, The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, The Wall Street Journal, The Journal News and The Cleveland Plain Dealer among others.
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CONFERENCE MATERIALS Summary of Zogby International Poll of business leaders' views of early education programs New paper from Nobel Prize-winning
economist James K. Heckman, Transcript
of keynote speech made by Beverly Hughes,
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Session 1: Session 2: Luncheon Keynote Address: Session 3: |
2004 Washington, D.C. Conference Materials
On December 3rd, 2004, CED, with the support from The Pew Charitable Trusts and PNC Financial Services Group, brought together business leaders, economists, policymakers, and early education experts from across the country to review and discuss the latest research and developments regarding the links between investments in preschool and economic development. The all-day Washington D.C. conference, Building the Economic Case for Investments in Preschool, included presentations from over 20 early education and business leaders.
The Productivity Argument for Investing in Young Children (2004), a major paper by Nobel Laureate James Heckman, was released at the forum. Dr. Heckman suggests that the United States faces a threat to future economic productivity due to our lagging efforts to create and improve preschool programs for all children.
Guiding Principles for Early Education
CED has identified five guiding principles for early education:
- Access. Children age three and up whose parents want them to enroll should have access to preschool programs that meet recognized standards for fostering education and school readiness along with social and physical development.
- Delivery. Preschool education consistent with recognized standards should be obtainable from a variety of providers, with parents choosing the setting most appropriate for their child's and family's needs.
- Financing. While states should be responsible for ensuring universal access to prekindergarten and tying diverse providers into coherent systems of early education, the federal and state governments should share responsibility for financing it.
- Infrastructure, Quality Improvement, and Oversight. Resources should be provided to help improve staff and facilities, and provide technical assistance and monitoring.
- Data and Research. The federal government and states should improve data collection to ensure that comparable and reliable information is available on access, costs, and outcomes, and should support research to expand our knowledge about the most effective characteristics of early learning programs.
Early Education Newsletters and Issue Briefs
Winter 2006 Newsletter: Investing in Early Education
September 2004 Newsletter: Preschool for All, A Priority for American Business Leaders
January 2003 Newsletter: Preschool for All
September 2002 Newsletter: Preschool for All
February 2003 CED In Brief: "Paying for Universal Pre-K"
July 2003 CED In Brief: "New Research Adds Support for Prekindergarten"
October 2002 CED In Brief: "Bridging Gaps: Linking Pre-Kindergarten and Child Care"
Media Coverage of Early Childhood Efforts
The New York Times, January 11, 2006
"The Need to Invest in Young Children." (link)
(excerpt) "So despite her restrained tone, Minister (Beverley) Hughes (British Minister for children, young people and families) was a sort of motivational speaker yesterday, talking up her government's approach in a keynote speech at a New York conference intended to build support for government funding of early childhood programs. The conference, "Building the Economic Case for Investments in Preschool," was sponsored by the Committee for Economic Development, a group of business executives and university presidents; The Pew Charitable Trusts; and The PNC Financials Services Group."
The Journal New (Westchester Co. New York), January 10, 2006
Poll: Business backs pre-K (link)
(excerpt) "The poll was commissioned ahead of a conference today in Manhattan on the subject of building an economic case for investing in pre-school education. The conference is sponsored by the Pew Charitable Truss, the Committee for Economic Development, and The PNC Financial Services Group Inc.
CED President Charles E.M. Kolb said a national program of pre-school for all who wanted it would cost an estimated $35 billion to $40 billion. The consequences of having a work force incapable of competing globally, however, would be more expensive, he warned.
"We are all going to pay a price for that as Americans," he said during a conference call. "From a business perspective, it's a lot of productivity in future years."
Susan Urahn, director of state policy initiatives for the Pew Charitable Trusts, said about one-third of children enter kindergarten without knowing the alphabet. Children who attend pre-school are less likely to need public assistance or special education programs later in life, and more likely to finish high school, she said."
Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, January 9, 2006
Earlier is better, leaders say—Pre-kindergarten gets solid backing in executive survey (link)
(excerpt) "More than four-fifths of the survey respondents agreed that publicly funded pre-kindergarten for all would improve the work force and help America in the long term in the global economy. Nearly two-thirds of those polled said the business community needs to support actively the establishment of such education.
"That's exactly what needs to happen. We really need to get employers to realize that we all need to invest in our children's future," said Beverly Anderson, executive director of Ebenezer Child Care Centers, a nine-site business based in Milwaukee."
"Anybody who knows anything about investments knows that it's all about getting it right up front," said Charles E.M. Kolb, president of the Committee for Economic Development, a business-based public policy group in Washington."
Tulsa World, January 10, 2006
Business chiefs back pre-k in big way: Poll finds
(excerpt) "Business leaders understand investing and investments and getting it right at the beginning," said Charles Kolb, president of the Committee for Economic Development, on a telephone conference. "The view of American business leaders is on the importance of making front-end investments in pre-k and making it a priority at the national level."
Early Education Links
Birth to Five Policy Alliance:
With generous support from the Buffett Early Childhood Fund, CED is pleased to be working as part of the Birth to Five Policy Alliance to further promote the benefits of early childhood education. Alliance members include:
- National Center for Children in Poverty
Website: www.nccp.org/ - National Scientific Council on the Developing Child
Website: www.developingchild.net/ - Zero to Three
Website: www.zerotothree.org/ - Council of Chief State School Officers
Website: www.ccsso.org/ - Ounce of Prevention Fund
Website: www.ounceofprevention.org/ - United Way of America
Website: national.unitedway.org/ - Fight Crime Invest in Kids
Website: www.fightcrime.org/ - National Conference on State Legislatures
Website: www.ncsl.org/ - National Governor’s Association
Website: www.nga.org/portal/site/nga
Nebraska:
- Nebraska Children and Families Foundation
Website: www.pcanebraska.org
New York:
- Center for Early Care and Education (CECE)*
Website: www.ceceny.org - Child Care Inc. (CCI)
Website: www.childcareinc.org - Schuyler Center for Analysis and Advocacy (SCAA)
Website: www.scaany.org
* The Center for Early Care and Education (CECE) is a joint venture of Child Care, Inc., (CCI) and the Schuyler Center for Analysis and Advocacy (SCAA).
Illinois:
- Voice for Illinois Children
Website: www.voices4kids.org - Chicago Metropolis 2020
Website: www.chicagometropolis2020.org
Massachusetts:
- Strategies for Children
Website: strategiesforchildren.org
National:
- The Pew Charitable Trusts
Website: www.pewtrusts.org - National Institute of Early Education Research (NIEER)
Website: www.nieer.org - The National Governors Association (NGA)
Website: www.nga.org - The Education Trust
Website: www.edtrust.org - Corporate Voices
Website: www.cvworkingfamilies.org - Pre-K Now
Website: www.preknow.org
For more information on CED's early education work, please contact:
- Amy Morse at 202-296-5860 ext. 32 or amy.morse@ced.org
For press inquiries, please contact:
- Morgan Broman at 202-296-5860 ext.14 or morgan.broman@ced.org
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