David Englin, Virginia State Delegate

David joined other Alexandrians representing parents, community leaders and law enforcement to call on the public to get behind gubernatorial candidate Tim Kaine’s call for universal preschool access to help students achieve their full potential and become contributing members of society. More than 20 community leaders assembled Tuesday in front of the Children & Family Network Center preschool in Alexandria’s Arlandria neighborhood to focus attention on the issue and support Kaine’s Strong Start initiative.

“Start Strong is the kind of bold, progressive idea that will give all of our children an equal opportunity to compete on a level playing field, spreading a little more social justice throughout Virginia,” said David. “Over the long haul, it’s also the most efficient crime prevention program and economic development program out there. This is the kind of investment in our future that can strengthen families and communities for generations.”

Ninety-percent of brain development occurs by age six so experts claim that children who go without early childhood development miss a critical moment in their lives, one from which they may never fully recover. Several studies have found that early education results in increased educational attainment, increased employment, productivity and earnings along with less welfare dependency, crime and delinquency.

“Poverty is the number one risk factor for school failure, and there are still hundreds of children in our community at risk of school failure,” said Barbara Mason, director at the preschool. “The idea of universal access is a wonderful way to combat that. We’re thrilled that Tim Kaine has put it on his agenda. It is the right thing to do.”

Kaine’s program encourages the creation of locally based programs like the one administered by Mason, which has 80 families on the waiting list to get in already this year. The center takes families of four with incomes of $35,700 a year and below. Head Start targets families with incomes of only $19,000 a year or less. And, this year the center has extended eligibility to include Arlington residents near the center.

“As a community leader I understand the importance of high-quality pre-kindergarten experiences, but as a business leader I simply must have access to the kind of skilled, dedicated employees that early education produces,” said Bill Euille, Alexandria’s Mayor. “The future of our economy depends on giving every child the tools they need to achieve to become contributing members of our community.”

Teachers report that 35 percent of students come to school not ready to learn according to Delegate Adam Ebbin (D-49th) adding that problems in school can lead to students dropping out.

“For every $1 invested, Virginia would see a return of more than $17,” Ebbin said, “most immediately by reducing the students’ need for remediation in grades 1-12 as well as decreased spending on social services and crime. We stand with Tim Kaine who wants to make sure all of Virginia’s children have a bright future.”

Four decades of research demonstrates that when children enter kindergarten with pre-school experience they are ready to learn and focused. Pre-school education benefits everyone – the children, their families and the community. Preschoolers are more likely to graduate from high school, own a home and lead independent lives. Families benefit from strong and stable children who can achieve their potential. The community benefits because children with pre-school experience are less likely to be involved in youth crime or require public assistance as an adult.

“Kaine’s plan says a lot about how Kaine would govern. He asks each community to craft the approach that makes the most sense for them. And it does not mandate pre-kindergarten or set up a government-run system; it strengthens the existing network of public and private providers, including churches and local co-ops, and leaves choices in the hands of parents,” said Rob Krupicka, Alexandria City Council member.

Other studies have captured business and political leaders’ attention. Economists at the Federal Reserve Bank in Minneapolis found that investing in preschool education provided a larger return than subsidizing office towers, athletic arenas and entertainment centers. A familiar Head Start study says states could save $7 in future social service and incarceration expense for every dollar in pre-K education. And, a children’s institute in Portland, Oregon calculated that four students could attend a public Oregon University – including tuition, books, room and board – for the cost of incarcerating one juvenile.

Tim Kaine’s Start Strong initiative phases in high-quality early education for all of Virginia’s four year-olds using local advisory boards who determine a locality’s unique needs and receive grants to implement the plans from a statewide Start Strong council.

The upstairs bar at Murphy’s Irish Pub in Old Town was packed tonight with Alexandria Democrats who came out to show their united support for David.

“I’m so pleased to see so many Alexandria Democrats here tonight so we can all show that we are solidly united behind David,” said Susan Kellom, Alexandria Democratic Committee chair, as she introduced the featured speaker, House Democratic Caucus Chair, Del. Brian Moran.

“It’s going to be a real pleasure serving with David and having him on my team in the House of Delegates,” said Moran. “It’ll be really great to have another progressive Democrat there fighting by my side.”

David thanked the host committee, which included every state and local Democratic elected official in Alexandria, David’s former primary opponents, the Alexandria Democratic Committee and the Alexandria Young Democrats.

“I especially want to thank Marian Van Landingham for being on our host committee tonight,” said David. “Marian has held this seat for 24 years, building a legacy of progressive leadership for the 45th district. She has been an unwavering voice for children, the disabled, and the elderly — for people and causes who can’t write a big check to get politicians’ attention. Instead, they rely on people’s compassion and sense of justice, and that’s what they have found in Marian for 24 years. Together we need to fight to carry on that legacy of progressive leadership for this seat.”

“Tonight was amazing,” said Melissa Mattingly, David’s campaign manager. “We raised lots of money, signed up lots of new volunteers, and showed our opponent that Democrats are 100 percent united around their candidate.”