Dennis P. Lockhart, president and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank in Atlanta, speaks at the School of Education's luncheon on Investing in Florida's Future.

A long-term investment in early childhood education for at-risk children can help curb school dropout rates, prevent crime, reduce adult illiteracy, and stem many other social ills. But for such an initiative to succeed, it will take a lasting commitment from all citizens, not just business and community leaders.

That was one of the consensus opinions voiced by a group of national advocates of early childhood education during a discussion on the topic held last Thursday and sponsored by the University of Miami’s School of Education.

The dialogue, Investing in Florida’s Future, explored strategies and ideas for improving Florida’s educational system and economy by devoting more effort to early learning initiatives.

“Research validates the claim that intervention early in life improves kindergarten readiness, performance in school, and later success in life as measured by sustained employment, income, and health,” said Dennis P. Lockhart, president and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank in Atlanta, who is co-chairing a special commission in the city charged with making recommendations to improve pre-K education. “Research further supports that investment in early education for underprivileged children yields the highest return.”

The alternative, he said, is to spend more down the road on criminal justice and social programs aimed at solving a range of problems that could have been avoided earlier. “We must look at it as a ‘pay me now or pay me later’ situation,” he explained.

Lockhart, who admitted he knew little about early childhood education before being recruited to lead the commission in Atlanta, made an economic case for greater investment in early childhood education, saying that “the contribution of education overall to labor productivity growth is estimated to be between 13 percent and 30 percent of total growth.”

He noted that while communities across the nation are different, all must address common early childhood education issues such as the target age of children who will be assisted by funded programs, the degree to which parents should be engaged in such programs, student-teacher ratios, and curriculum content.

Former Miami Herald publisher David Lawrence Jr., now president of the Early Childhood Initiative Foundation, echoed Lockhart’s sentiments.

He said that despite 220,00 children being born in Florida each year—33,000 in Miami-Dade County alone—the state typically “under-invests in children’s health and education, and therefore none of us should be surprised that we statistically underperform nationally in both high school and college graduation rates.

“But I am a glass half full guy, and I do see a path to doing better by children,” he said, noting a task force of experts that is exploring ways to improve early education in Florida.

During the discussion, held at UM’s Hurricane 100 Room in the BankUnited Center, results of a statewide poll revealed that 67 percent of the 1,515 registered voters sampled would support a campaign in Florida next year to promote quality services for children and families.

UM President Donna E. Shalala said “measurable goals” are needed so that Floridians can see “the progress we’re making if they’re going to make an investment” in early education. She noted that many children are not enrolled in institutionalized day care. “So the strategy in Florida must be different. We must find a way to upgrade the skills of grandmothers.”

Underwritten by BBU Bank, the event was also sponsored by the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce, the Miami Business Forum, and the Partnership for America’s Economic Success.

School of Education Dean Isaac Prilleltensky called the discussion crucial to the mission of the school, which, since his arrival, has advocated evidence-based strategies for well-being.