Business Summit for Early Learning

SUMMIT COMMENTS
Skip Oppenheimer

• Thank Idaho AEYC for obtaining the Pew Charitable Foundation grant and putting the summit together


• Briefly explain IBCEE including 5 committee structure


• Thank IBCEE members for attending and recognizing the importance of early childhood learning as it relates to business


• Briefly touch on the work of the Education Alliance of Idaho and their efforts to address the percentage of our students who do not go on to college (We are 43rd in the nation on the percentage of students who go on to postsecondary education/training)


• There is irrefutable scientific evidence that ages 0 - 6 are the most critical years for brain development. 80% of the human brain’s capacity is developed by age 3


• Only 50% of Idaho children enter kindergarten “reading ready”


• Our children are the key to our economic future


• Education is a major factor in economic development


• Early childhood learning must be a priority in our State


• That priority will ensure that Idaho’s children have the tools and experience necessary to achieve in life. Those productive individuals will be tomorrow’s community leaders


• It is imperative that we focus on early learning, K-12, post-secondary education/training and lifelong education – the entire continuum