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Welcome to Fairfax Futures
Where Smart Businesses Invest in School Readiness
Greetings!
The 2008 elections are in the history books, while the economy
- which so dominated voters' concerns - continues to make headlines.
Local, state and federal lawmakers are facing tough choices.
Given our current economic challenges, they will do well to remember that investments
in human capital always pay dividends.
A good example is President-elect Obama's promise to
increase support for quality early childhood education. Investing in young children helps
working parents stay productive and ensures that Northern Virginia companies
have access to the world-class workforce needed to compete globally, now and in
the future.
Don't just take it from me. Read what the National
Association of Manufacturers has to say and why local chamber leaders like Fairfax
County Chamber president Bill Lecos agree that investing in early childhood education
makes good business sense.
Also in this issue, find out about efforts to help
preschoolers develop early science and problem-solving skills as a foundation
for their later academic and professional success.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Vera Steiner Blore
Executive Director
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Manufacturing Jobs Depend on Education
Citing a serious shortage of qualified employees, the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) says, "Excellence in education
and educational opportunities for all is the best guarantee of meeting the
demands of the global economy. NAM
believes in a strong system of high quality early learning, elementary,
secondary, higher education, and career and technical education that
effectively prepares students for the challenges of the 21st century global
workforce."
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Less Class Time for Science
In case you missed it, here's a recent Washington Post article showing that science education has
been scaled back in schools across our region. Unlike reading
and math, science test scores are not used to hold schools accountable under
the No Child Left Behind law. Another Post story revealed how brain research
is unlocking the secrets to learning and implications for the classroom. |
Learning Science ABCs
The National Science Foundation (NSF) has awarded almost $2
million in its first grant focusing specifically on what four-year-olds should
know about science by the time they enter kindergarten. The University of Texas
at Austin's
Center for Science and Mathematics Education will conduct the research project
called Building BLOCKS for Science.
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News You Can Use
Young children can noodle their way to solving minor
everyday problems if parents and caregivers provide encouragement rather than
rushing in with the solution. The National Association for the Education of
Young Children provides more tips in Helping Toddlers Become Problem Solvers,
a one-page resource for parents. |
Here's a Safe Bet
Achievement gaps are present by age three among low income
children and persist during the school years, according to Helen Stebbins of
the National Center for Children in Poverty (NCCP). However,
high-quality early care and learning can have a positive impact. NCCP's "Improving The Odds for Young Children Initiative" identifies state policy options
that raise the odds for success in school and life.
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Perspectives William D. Lecos,
President and CEO of the Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce on business support for early childhood education. Q. Why do you think companies are
beginning to invest in quality pre-K programs?
A. Because it makes sense. All the
research tells us that what happens early in children's lives, in terms of
their development and their positive interactions with those around them,
directly affects their capacity to succeed in school, in the
workforce and as contributing members of the community.
Q. What role can chambers play in
supporting children's school readiness?
A. Chambers can be helpful at
several levels. We can encourage investment in quality early childhood
education as good public policy and as a sound economic investment that will
help keep our region strong. We also can help raise awareness about the
importance of this issue with elected officials, with our chamber members and
throughout the community as the first step to ensuring a competitive workforce
here in Fairfax County.
Q. What impact do you believe
investment in "Pre-K to gray" education will have on the future workforce in Fairfax County?
A.It will define the capacity of the future. If
we want our county, our region and our country to remain globally competitive
in math, science and other critical areas, we can't afford to view education
through a narrow lens. Our investment in human capital must begin early and
continue at every level so that all members of the community achieve their
fullest potential. Doing so benefits individuals, the companies for which they
work and the communities in which they live. |
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