On March 7, 2022, at South Asheboro Middle School, members of North Carolina’s House Select Committee on “An Education System for North Carolina’s Future” held a public hearing. Presiding over the hearing was Representative John A. Torbett, Senior Chair. Our local Representative Pat Hurley also participated, along with Representatives Rachel Hunt and Jeff Zenger.
Presentations were made by local superintendents Dr. Stephen Gainey, Dr. Aaron Woody, and Dr. Sharon Castelli. After a brief Q&A and remarks by members of the Committee, the floor was opened to public comments, which were limited to two minutes each.
On behalf of the early childhood community and Randolph Partnership for Children, Director of Marketing and Community Engagement Micki Bare spoke during the public hearing. Here is the statement she shared:
“Most of my career has been spent in early childhood education. We know now that most brain growth, 85% or more, happens by age 5, before a child ever walks through the doors of their elementary school. We know now that the interactions and experiences children have in those first 5 years lay the foundation for learning, health, and success. We know now that if those interactions and experiences are insufficient or negative, the long-term negative effects can last a lifetime and are difficult and costly to overcome.
“Learning begins at birth. An Education System for North Carolina’s future must not only take this into consideration, but also intentionally and richly support early care and education. It must encompass the whole child, from birth through college. It must be inclusive, accepting, non-judgmental, and able to see the great potential in every individual child, if we truly want every child to thrive and succeed; and if we truly want a thriving economy.
“The structure is already in place. An Education System for North Carolina’s future could include subsidizing child care facilities to ensure they have qualified, licensed, early childhood professionals earning professional salaries with benefits, as well as the materials needed to ensure that the highest quality early care and education is offered to all children of parents who choose it. It could include close coordination with families of infants, toddlers, and preschoolers through home visiting programs.
“When it comes to education, supporting the current workforce, and building our future workforce, we must address high quality care, whether in centers or at home, for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers.
“We also know now that investing early will save you at least 13 times your investment in the future. For example, an investment of $4000 in each of the 8000 children birth-5 in Randolph County today ($32 million) would have a return-on-investment of $416 million dollars.
“Thank you for your time and service, and for all you do to ensure the best for all of North Carolina’s citizens.”
