#Children are the future. History shows that every society that prioritized proper nurturing for its young has always reaped positive dividends. By contrast, societies that put the growth and development of their young on the back burner rarely survive long enough to rue such a poor judgment call.

Academic #education is the most significant aspect of nurturing children and preparing them for the infinite possibilities of the future. It has been established that one doesn't have to be academically educated to be successful or positively influence the community. Despite this, many would agree that formal education is good for any child. 

For emphasis, it needs to be said that formal education is not only necessary for the optimal development of every child, but it is also the right of these kids to have unfettered access to this wealth of knowledge.

For this reason, Congressman Jared Polis announced as part of his campaign three years ago that he would prioritize the access of every child to free full-day preschool and kindergarten. That proposal was greeted with much approval and applause. Many citizens of Colorado might go as far as to claim that mission was one of the things that propelled him in favor of many voters.

This particular plan was an especially appealing idea to many parents. Not only does it remove the financial burden of having to foot tuition bills, but it also provides this benefit to many kids whose families otherwise may not have been able to afford it. A few studies have conclusively shown that children given a chance to study in school longer during their formative years tend to be more academically competent than kids deprived of this opportunity.

Now, fast-forward a few years later, Governor Polis' dream of free early education has largely been realized, but at what cost? As of today, the state of Colorado is one of 28 others in the country that operates this policy. Yet, the state needs to be more financially balanced and capable of supporting this program as many of its counterparts. Even under the best economic conditions, Colorado is constantly struggling to manage itself. 

Factoring in the debilitating events such as the COVID-19 pandemic, it becomes plain that this policy, though well-intentioned, is not sustainable. The responsibility of funding full-day preschool and kindergarten needs to lie with each child's parent. Otherwise, the economic burden of executing this project might be the state's undoing.

A balance needs to be maintained, and priorities need to be re-established. Funding this project does nothing to alleviate the state's economic straits. Consequently, it should be stopped, and funds should be reverted back to their original state.

While the intent was good, it wouldn't do well for the Colorado economy to be damaged irreparably. We should stop this practice now while we see the adverse effects on the horizon.