Editor:

Families in Texas today face an inadequate patchwork of pre-k programs. Only 1 in 5 children has access to state-funded voluntary pre-k, and the quality of programs - which is critical to producing positive results - varies widely.

I believe our children's future should be up to choice - not chance.

These missed opportunities cost America's children, families and communities. Children who start behind are likely to stay behind.

We can pay now for quality pre-k, or we can pay much more later to cope with more children who need special education classes, more children who get held back a grade, or more children who drop out of high school.

Ask any law enforcement official about quality early childhood education and you'll get the message loud and clear that early intervention is far preferable to later interventions. Let's build and equip more quality pre-k classrooms and fewer juvenile detention facilities.

Ask your representatives and the political candidates who are asking for your vote if they support voluntary pre-k for every child in our community. Be a voice for those who are too young to speak for themselves. Go to NoSchoolForSam.org to sign the petition today.

Traci Wickett

President & CEO

United Way of Southern Cameron County

Brownsville

Via the Internet