The Times-Picayune, by Bruce Lesley

Re: “Early childhood education bill killed in Lousiana Legislature, ” NOLA.com, June 5. It’s disappointing that politics derailed efforts to improve pre-kindergarten. But in improving quality and affordability, Louisiana doesn’t have to go it alone.

It’s about fairness. Just 48 percent of low-income children enter kindergarten school-ready, compared to three-fourths of higher-income kids. Quality pre-K levels the playing field, especially for poor kids. And it cultivates “soft skills” prized by employers, such as focus and critical thinking, giving today’s kids a better chance to compete in tomorrow’s economy. …Read more