In the State of the Union, President Barack Obama advocated for universal preschool. His stats were every $1 invested in early childhood provides a $7 return when that child is an adult—in savings in social and justice services, higher of numbers graduate from high school, earn more income and are more committed to family. Actually, a 2004 High/Scope Perry Preschool Project reported an investment of $1 to a savings of $13.

What is missing from the discussion is what are 'quality' preschools? Quality looks like: a lower ratio of adults to children, a child-centered curriculum, and family involvement. Some people believe regulating quality programs means that external agencieswill dictate what must be done. In actuality, there are a range of strategies to deliver quality—not all preschools must look alike.

Our children deserve equal opportunities to quality—there must be some common ground here in Missouri's political arena.