PLATTSBURGH -- Preschool presents an immediate opportunity to make a difference today, says Mary Shaheen.

And investing in early-childhood education offers the best rate of economic return.

"The older the individual at the time of investment, the lower the rate of return," said Shaheen, vice president of United Way of New York State.

Yet many schools aren't utilizing money from the state to institute universal pre-K, and the ones that do are finding funding is inadequate to fully finance the state's initiative.

So Shaheen is traveling the state asking business leaders to throw their support behind universal pre-K and use their clout to apply pressure on lawmakers to step up funding.

BOOSTS ECONOMY

"Early-childhood-development programs are economic-development initiatives," she told the Plattsburgh Noon Rotary recently.

Children are born learning, Shaheen pointed out, and numerous studies indicate that kids who come to school with social skills are more successful. Much of what 4-year-olds gain in preschool are social skills.

On the flip side, long-term studies have shown that many children start school without basic skills needed for future success and end up in lower-paying jobs.

"We are losing that battle before our children set foot in the classroom," Shaheen said. "The older the individual at the time of investment, the lower the rate of return."

KEY TO SUCCESS

Early experiences lay foundations for future success, and children who benefit from it are more likely to end up married, in higher-paying jobs, owning homes, having savings accounts and being more active in their communities, studies show.

Indeed, the Perry Study followed 123 children from low-income Michigan families through the age of 40. Participants were provided a high-quality program with well-trained teachers, daily classroom sessions and weekly home visits.

The study reported that the benefit-cost ratio was $17 to $1.

"We need to make sure they are excited about learning and connected to the school," Shaheen said. "Testing children is not the answer."