OPINION PAGES

Preschool programs dedicated to providing high-quality early education understand that there are many foundational skills that children need in order to be successful in school and life.

As a retired rear admiral of the Coast Guard, I know firsthand just how difficult it is to find qualified men and women to fill the ranks.

The documented impact of early education is impressive, and I am encouraged by the actions of local businesses to expand access to these services through the preschool scholarship program.

What does Pre-K have to do with crime prevention?

Considering that approximately 70 percent of our nation’s state prison population failed to receive a high school diploma, education is a pivotal factor between incarceration and productive citizenship. Long-term research is clear that high quality pre-k can boost graduation rates by as much as 44 percent and keep young people on the right side of the law.

Over the course of my career in early learning, I have seen firsthand how quality programs such as Head Start prepare children for success in school and life – particularly among children who are at higher risk of academic failure due to poverty or other circumstances that are beyond their control.

The bottom line for business is that early learning opportunities for our children have tremendous long-term benefits for our workforce.

Considering that approximately 70 percent of our nation’s state prison population failed to receive a high school diploma, education is a pivotal factor between incarceration and productive citizenship.

Knowing this connection from research and experience, law enforcement leaders have long supported investments in high quality pre-kindergarten as a key crime prevention strategy.