It’s we – the community in general and parents in particular – who determine the quality of what we put into, and ultimately get out of, our public schools.

There were three reasons I ran for school board: (1) Like most Iowa City residents, I believe in volunteer service, (2) Teachers and parents described conditions they wanted changed, and urged me to try, and (3) As a university professor, I live with the product of our elementary and secondary schools and thought school board participation might help.

I still think schools are important. But I’m now convinced the real educational problems, opportunities – and much of what enables a lifetime of learning – occur within the first three years of life.

I’m no expert. Just concerned. An Internet surfer with computer and curiosity. An inquiring interviewer. But as anxious as Paul Revere to share what I’ve learned.

The column two weeks ago detailed the basics: the crucial importance for brain development of the time from conception through age three. This column reviews what we’re doing in Johnson County – and what we could be doing.

I won’t repeat the basics. Most are more common sense than rocket science anyway – although current research on early brain growth comes close! We can now watch a child’s brain as she reads. And know from the computer image if she’s dyslexic. Know which learning styles work.

But even basics aren’t obvious to all parents.

And when the basics aren’t followed, society inherits children whose self-esteem suffers from difficulties in school. The costs of remedial education and extra medical care. Children who make up a disproportionate share of dropouts, crime, drug abuse, and other anti-social behavior.

So we all have a stake in the adequate provision of:

• Obstetricians’ and pediatricians’ sensitivity to the range of a family’s needs – and available services.

• Educational programs for parents (including child development information in high school).

• Protection of children – everything from the second-hand smoke that causes upper respiratory diseases to deliberate physical abuse.

• Social service agencies that recognize the interrelationship of alcohol and drug treatment programs, parental income, domestic violence, housing, transportation, nutrition, health care, breast feeding and holding a baby, and the child’s opportunity for interaction with people and things.

• Quality child care programs with an educational component and stable, professional personnel.

(Today all that remains at 9 East Market Street is our little wading pool and its sculpture.)

So Iowa City has always been something of a leader in early childhood education.

Today our school district has pre-schools and outreach centers. Mann, Penn and Hills award-winning Family Resource Centers. The city’s Parks and Recreation Department offers programs.

There are too many to list of the Department of Human Services, Extension Service and Johnson County Department of Public Health. Churches; other organizations. Examples: WIC (nutrition for infants), a Well Child Clinic, screening and case management, the “4Cs” day care coordination (including the Home Ties center), HACAP’s Head Start, UAY’s teen parent program, NEST, the Even Start program of the Neighborhood Centers of Johnson County.

We could provide more parent education. Improve coordination in our network of agencies. Offer one-stop registration. Maybe a coordinated database of all young children. But I’m impressed with the folks I’ve met and what they’ve told me.

One of our most successful local programs is a sleeper that’s received little attention – our Community Empowerment Board. An innovative effort at coordinating children, the range of early childhood needs and agencies’ programs.

School Board member and pediatrician Dr. Pete Wallace is the school district’s representative.

The focus is on parents, children under five, and the holistic approach.

Can schools help older kids who haven’t had such early benefits? Of course. But at enormous cost and with modest results.

Getting our toddlers off to a good educational start before they get to school is a worthy goal for all of us. The dividends can be enormous for the community, the parentsand the teachers.

But mostly for our children. Those healthy, happy, lifelong learners able to enter our schools with a fair chance.
 
Nicholas Johnson is a member of the Iowa City Community School Board.