The Raising of America

What strikes you as most important in this discussion of the relationship between social policy, child development, and later achievement?

This video was fascinating! I love how they presented it almost like a business model. Of course you would invest in something if you knew you'd get a return many times over than what you invested. I think that many people who are not involved in education do not really know how important those early years are, but to present it as purely economical (which, I believe, more people can understand) was very logical and smart.

What's most important is determining the obstacle(s) that are preventing us from investing in our children in this way. Is it the general public? The policymakers?

It was said several times in this video that there are four separate, longitudinal studies that exemplify the importance of supporting children and families in the early years, yet we do not do anything about it. The research is there. The logic is there. Now we just need to get the public on board. But how? I am so happy to see that this will be a televised documentary series, because I think the public is generally just uneducated about this particular topic. I hope the exposure will help get things moving in the right direction.


What do you think this perspective adds to the discussion of school reform?

I think this video will appeal to the general public more. I think education tends to be very 'separate' from the business world, even though how can the two not be intertwined when we are talking about the future of our children?  I think that this video, presented by way of economics, will be understood by more people. It's simply more accessible and presented in layman's terms.

Why are we focusing on testing? Why are we focusing on something that is many many  years too late. We need to start from the beginning - that is very clear. Focusing on testing will do no good until we 'fix' what we need to at the very start.


What is one question these videos raise for you?

How can we move forward in implementing these changes to our nation?

What are the roadblocks to changing our ECE system?


Blogs I responded to:
Kathryn Leonard
Alaina Rowen