There is no smarter investment than early childhood education. Children that come to kindergarten ready to learn save taxpayers money. They are less likely to need extra help, require special education services, and are more likely to learn to read. One study even found that at risk children that received high quality early education services were significantly less likely to get involved with the criminal justice system. It’s no wonder that economists have calculated that for every dollar a taxpayer spends in early education, they see a return of upwards of $7. Rep. Roger Goodman led the effort in our state to expand early education opportunities to the most at risk children. His legislation expands our very successful state pre-k program so that by 2018 all three and four year old children that need help will get it. Because of his work he was named a Children’s Champion by the Children’s Alliance and has been endorsed by the Children’s Campaign Fund. As a Kirkland resident with a three year old daughter I know how important early childhood education is. That’s why I am supporting Roger in his efforts to be reelected. Roger really gets it. Unfortunately, Roger’s opponent Kevin Haistings has stated publicly that he would cut spending for early childhood education. I hope readers will get behind Roger and vote for him so he can continue to fight for the most at risk children in our state.

Joel Ryan, Executive Director Washington State Association of Head Start and ECEAP