JEFFERSON CITY — Yesterday (4-24), a measure (SB 133) sponsored by Sen. Joe Keaveny, D-St. Louis, to expand access to early childhood education programs in Missouri received debate on the floor of the Missouri Senate. The legislation is designed to spur economic development by ensuring the state of Missouri has the most competent and educated workforce possible. The bill has been set aside for future consideration.

“The Missouri Legislature aims to encourage economic development, yet not enough attention is given to the people who will make up our workforce in the future,” Sen. Keaveny said. “By expanding early education programs, Missouri can identify children who have special needs or are involved in cases of abuse or neglect in a more timely fashion. Early education programs also provide a foundation for children that will help prevent the need to repeat grades in the future.”

Senate Bill 133 would allow a school district or charter school that operates an early childhood education program to receive state funding through Missouri’s foundation formula for students between the ages of 3 and 5 who are eligible for free and reduced lunch.

Senator Keaveny pointed out that the return on investment for early education programs span between $7 and $12. He also stressed that without high quality early childhood intervention, at-risk children are:

• 25 percent more likely to drop out of school;
• 40 percent more likely to become a teen parent;
• 50 percent more likely to be placed in special education;
• 60 percent more likely never to attend college; and
• 70 percent more likely to be arrested for a violent crime.

Some lawmakers want to address problems in the state foundation formula before adding early childhood education programs to the equation. However, the chart below highlights that Missouri children are slipping through the cracks and not obtaining a quality education.

Dr. Ben S. Bernanke, chair of the board of governors of the Federal Reserve System, stated that, “Economically speaking, early childhood programs are a good investment, with inflation-adjusted annual rates of return on the funds dedicated to these programs estimated to reach 10 percent or higher. Very few alternative investments can promise that kind of return.”

When SB 133 received a hearing in the Senate Education Committee, more than a dozen educational organizations testified in support, including representatives from the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry. For more information about this bill, visit the Missouri Senate website at www.senate.mo.gov.