Investing in high-quality early childhood education has extraordinary returns, not only for Virginia's children, but also for our workforce and economy. The best investments are made in community-grown programs that truly meet local needs.

In essence, the education department argues that the quality of the education children receive is irrelevant, as long as someone stands in front of the class.

Economic prosperity and quality education for our children are inexorably linked.

A quality education has the power to transform societies in a single generation, provide children with the protection they need from the hazards of poverty, labor exploitation and disease, and given them the knowledge, skills, and confidence to reach their full potential.

These policies, which consign 50 percent of children to poverty, neglect quality early education, generate huge income disparities, result in homelessness and limit access to quality nutrition and critical health services, may differentiate children in the South from those in other regions.

Appalling things can happen to children. And even a happy childhood is filled with sadnesses.