Remarkably, one in four American children come from low-income families and enter kindergarten not ready to learn. As a result, these children fall behind from the very start. Achieving Kindergarten Readiness for All Our Children aims to change that. This guide offers numerous specific, evidence-based public investment opportunities private donors and government can pursue immediately to make an impact.

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When every child has the opportunity to meet his or her full potential, we strengthen families, our communities, and the nation’s economic future. Remarkably, one in four American children come from low-income families and enter kindergarten not ready to learn and, as a result, fall behind from the very start. Our nation pays a heavy price through larger taxpayer burdens in remedial and special education, more costly health interventions, and increased criminal justice expenditures. Research shows that for a fraction of those costs, preventive investments in high-quality early childhood programs can avoid the high price of remediation and bring enormous benefits to the economy. Further, early intervention strengthens families and accelerates a child’s ability to learn, thus increasing the effectiveness of K–12 education.

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