Columbia, SC — Thank you for covering our legislators’ efforts to expand 4K education. 4K is a proven, effective strategy for preparing our children not only for school, but for life. Multiple longitudinal studies have shown the return on investment, such as the High/Scope Perry Preschool and Abecedarian projects.

The Abecedarian study demonstrated that young children receiving high-quality early education from infancy to age 5 fare better in reading and math and are more likely to stay in school, graduate from high school, and attend a four-year college. Participating children also achieved higher cognitive test scores and waited longer to have their first child.

Some would suggest we either help our kids be ready for school or help our schools be ready for our kids. Why do we have to make a choice? Both are necessary, and we also need to push for our families to be engaged, as Richland 2 and other local districts are doing. It’s not an either/or. We need ready kids, ready schools and ready families.

Bunnie Lempesis Ward

Irmo