House Early Learning Testimony

Yesterday several early learning bills were heard in the House Early Learning & Children's Services Committee. The three bills heard, HB 2431, HB 2731, HB 2867, are very important to early learning and the children that they will impact. Many early learning supporters turned up to testify. While I wasn’t able to be there I watched the testimony online and was pleased to see so many people testify.

Susan Anderson-Newham, an early learning supervising librarian with Pierce County Library, was one of the many who testified. Susan talked about how important it is to align and associate early learning with formal education. As a librarian Susan is also in touch with many other librarians nationally and others nationally are impressed with what is happening in Washington.

Two Sheriffs with Fight Crime Invest in Kids talked about why they as law enforcement want to see including early learning in the definition of basic education. Both of the Sheriffs see the value of supporting families early in life as a way of deterring crime. Sheriff Jim Barrett, undersheriff in Mason County, argued that we cannot continue to allow early learning funding to be discretionary; when it is discretionary it can be cut in lean times. He went on to say: “Seventeen years ago I would go to the same type of homes, challenged homes... Five years ago those kids were getting into trouble… now as an administrator of a jail I’m seeing those kids get incarcerated [for] a long time… we’re seeing the [results] of not taking action early.”

Jon Gould, our partner at the Children’s Alliance, represented the Early Learning Action Alliance of which the Foundation for Early Learning and the Early Learning Public Library Partnership are members. Jon reminded the committee that it is time to stop meeting and to bring these essential services to Washington’s children. Hannah Lidman of the Economic Opportunity Institute said that early learning helps to prevent and close the opportunity gap. Several of our coalition members also testified. It was wonderful to watch coalition members talk about why early learning is important to them.

There is more work to be done; it is a short 60 day session, ends March 11, 2010, and a lot of ground needs to be covered before then. Children can’t wait and we need to speak up. Please email your legislators and tell them why early learning is important to you. Children’s Alliance is organizing a rally on Monday, February 15. This would be a great place to lend your voice. If you would like to get more involved please also feel free to connect with me, erin@earlylearning.org, your voice is important.