OPINION PAGES

Statewide, 112,900 three- and four-year-olds who qualify for publicly funded, high-quality prekindergarten are not served. That’s more than 64 percent of eligible children, according to “A Path Forward: Publicly Funded High-Quality Pre-K in Pennsylvania,” from Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children.

Resolutions – proactive measurable goals that pave the way for future success – help us launch the new year with purpose and direction. Let’s resolve to build on the growing consensus for the wisdom of quality universal pre-K in Pennsylvania.

When we thank our veterans on Veterans Day, let’s not stop there. Let’s ensure that the hard work and sacrifice of previous generations are upheld and carried forward by our young residents.

As we rightfully thank those men and women that have served in our Armed Forces this Veterans Day, let’s also reflect on the future and what we can do to ensure that more young people are citizen-ready.

Let’s ensure the hard work and sacrifice of previous generations is upheld and carried forward by our youth. Continuing Pennsylvania’s commitment to high-quality prekindergarten is a promise to prepare our next generation of citizens.

Research shows that 90 percent of brain development takes place in the first five years of a child’s life. How much a child learns in those formative early years — and, in particular, how great is his or her exposure to language — can determine how that child does in school and ultimately in life.

However, if we merely hope that children grow up to be tomorrow’s leaders and innovators, we’re gambling on an issue critical to this nation’s survival. As the Council for a Strong America has found, too many children are unprepared for the workforce, unqualified for the military, and mired in crime at a young age.