Nixon's First Meeting of Second Term Tackles Early Childhood Education

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- To back up his promise to champion the cause of education, Governor Nixon Monday held a forum, open to the media, on early childhood education.

One of the participants, Education Commissioner Chris Nicastro, she says early childhood education is an economic issue.

"I think the point here is that if we set our kids up for success early in life, they're going to have a successful school experience, they're going to have a successful work experience, and ultimately they're going to be able to contribute to the economy." 

Nixon says he will travel the state with the message that an investment in early childhood education is an investment in Missouri's future.

"If we start young and we do the right things, we can fundamentally shift the arch of history for very very many children, and in so doing, for our state."

The Governor has announced that the budget he'll present later this month will include increased investment in preschool education programs throughout the state, including new resources for pre-kindergarten programs in local school districts and early childhood education initiatives such as Missouri's Early Head Start program.