Summit Hones in on the Economics of Investing in Early Care and Education

On May 6th, 150 superintendents, preK-12 educators, early childhood specialists, and other community members from across the region gathered for the Northland Foundation's fourth annual Early Childhood Summit in Duluth.

The Summit focused on the economics of early childhood. More business people, economists, and legislators are realizing, thanks to a growing body of research, what those who work with children have long understood: dollars spent to support young children and adults who care for them reduces remedial education expenses, increases literacy and graduation rates, lowers criminal justice system costs, raises household incomes, and strengthens the tax base.

Rob Grunewald, an Associate Economist at the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis, presented “The Economic Case for Investments in Young Children”.

Grunewald noted that investments in the early years net the highest public return not only to children and parents but to all taxpayers: up to $16 for every $1 spent.

Todd Otis, President of Ready 4 K, Minnesota's lead early education advocacy organization, shared insights into the current legislative cycle. Despite a $5 billion state deficit, legislators are not inclined to reduce early childhood funding.

Ready 4 K also distributed Kitchen Table kits, available online, which provide a guide for talking to friends, colleagues, and community members about early care and education.

Angie Eilers, Ph.D., Research and Policy Director at Growth & Justice, a Twin Cities based economic think tank, presented data from Growth & Justice’s “Smart Investments” plan. It seeks to increase Minnesota students completing post-secondary education by 50 percent by 2020. The plan recommends $120 million more be invested in proven early care and education strategies and $285 million more in pre-kindergarten to grade 3 programs.

“The early years are when we can do it well, do it right, and do it cost effectively,” she said.

A panel from the Northland Alliance for Family, Friend, and Neighbor Child Care Provider Outreach and Support Initiative highlighted progress and lessons learned through this regional pilot program. This program connects with “informal” childcare providers including relatives, friends, and neighbors to support early literacy, social emotional development, and school readiness.

School superintendents from Barnum, Esko, Virginia, and Lake Superior Schools shared their thoughts in a facilitated discussion of local early education successes and challenges.

“Investing in young children is not only the right thing to do for children, families, and educators, but it is also a wise bottom-line decision,” said Lynn Haglin, Northland Foundation Vice President and KIDS PLUS Director.

The Summit was made possible through the support of the Blandin Foundation, The McKnight Foundation, SMDC Health System, the Northland Foundation, and the United Way of Greater Duluth.