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Welcome to Fairfax Futures
Where Smart Businesses Invest in School Readiness
Greetings!
Now here's something to celebrate -- for the third
straight year, Virginia has been named "The Best State for Business" by Forbes.com.
A well-educated workforce and high quality schools have helped propel Virginia
to the top.
Ensuring that every child is ready for school will help
keep us there. That's the goal of the Fairfax Futures' School Readiness Network, which
welcomes the Springfield
Chamber of Commerce as its newest member. The Network now includes five
local chambers that have stepped up to express their support for school
readiness.
In this issue, Keith Turner, senior vice president
at West Group, talks about why his
company -- a business partner in the Network -- invests in education from
preschool through college. Also in this
issue, read what opinion leaders like Gen. Colin Powell have to say about
getting our economy back on track, and find out about a new study highlighting middle
class families' increasing struggle with the cost of early childhood education
and care.
Finally, some tips on the importance of play for
children's healthy development.
Best wishes for the holidays,
Vera Steiner Blore
Executive Director
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Powell:
Put Kids First
Retired Gen. Colin Powell's message to the 111th
Congress: to restore economic health, "put our children first." In a recent editorial, Powell argues that our nation's "dismal high school graduation
rate" places our economic future and national security at risk.
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The
Growing Price Tag for Early Education
A new report from Pre-K Now shows that
the cost of early childhood education and care programs has risen faster than
inflation, putting a strain on middle class families' budgets. "The Pre-K Pinch: Early Education and the Middle Class" finds that for many households, the
cost of these programs is one of the top two or three expenditures -- more than
food, healthcare and even in-state tuition.
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Play
is Serious Business
Play isn't just fun and games -- it's the
foundation for learning and academic success. The Alliance for Childhood shows
how play contributes to children's physical development, academic success, and
social and emotional learning. "Time for Play, Every Day: It's Fun -- and Fundamental" offers tips on what parents and care givers can do to
encourage play.
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Stimulus for Schools?
Forbes.com columnist Thomas Cooley urges
Congress to focus stimulus spending on investments with long-term benefits. In
"Prime the Pump with Education Spending," he argues that education,
beginning with early childhood programs, is the way to maintain our economic
preeminence. Sara Mead, writing for the New America Foundation says
stimulus spending is temporary and that, "Pre-k and the stimulus are simply not
a good match." Different points of view, but agreement on this key point: education spending needs to be steady and sustained. |
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Perspectives
 An interview with Keith Turner, senior vice president at West Group
Q. What drives West Group's decision to support quality
education from pre-k through college?
A.
We believe that learning is a lifelong thing. It's not about
choosing between investing in one part of the educational spectrum versus
another, but really has to be about taking the long view. Start early, keep at
it, and provide students with the best opportunities for lifelong learning -
this will yield great benefit for them and even greater benefit for the rest of
the community.
Q. Why did West Group decide to join Fairfax Futures' School
Readiness Network?
A.
Joining the School Readiness Network as a business
partner allowed West Group to demonstrate its support for quality early
childhood education. We believe that if children come
to school curious about the world and with a passion for learning, they are
more likely to be successful in school and throughout their adult lives.
Q. How does business investment in education impact the
future workforce in our region?
A. Business investment in education helps increase the opportunities
for students' success in school and beyond. It is also in the self-interest of
Northern Virginia companies to sustain a strong economic climate and quality of
life here in Fairfax County -- all factors that will encourage continued
business investment and economic development in our region.
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