Microsoft brings leaders together to discuss the value of investing in early learning

Leading research shows early childhood is a pivotal time for learning. Deliberate and early exposure to the arts may lead to higher achievement in the science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields.  That was the takeaway from a conversation last week at the Microsoft Innovation & Policy Center in Washington, D.C.

“Preparing the Next Generation for 21st Century Jobs: Investing in STEM Through Early Learning and the Arts” convened national education experts, academics, policymakers, nonprofits, business leaders and industry representatives to discuss the impact of learning programs on early childhood education and how this learning translates to success throughout life.  Discussed prominently were the results of a four-year study unveiled by the Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts showing that investing in learning programs increased test scores in STEM and educational attainment.

Throughout the event, a panel of education experts, including Robin Thurman of ReadyNation, Akua Kouyate-Tate of the Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts and Aleta Margolis from the Center for Inspired Teaching, highlighted how we can invest in early childhood education in ways that significantly alter the course of a student’s learning career. Microsoft Vice President of U.S. Government Affairs Fred Humphries provided introductory remarks and Microsoft Director of Education Policy and Programs Allyson Knox moderated the discussion.

Fred Humphries
Microsoft’s Fred Humphries welcomes the audience to our @Microsoft conversation on investing in early learning.

The general consensus: Investing in high quality early childhood education makes educational and financial sense. Overall, supporting programs, technologies and teachers that influence early learning leads to increased productivity and economic growth for our country. The return on investment is significant. And this discussion was timely. Even though 94 percent of STEM jobs by 2020 will require post-secondary education, students are leaving high school without the basic math knowledge to handle college math courses: fewer than half of students taking the ACT exam meet the college-readiness benchmark in math (ReadyNation).

Each month, the Microsoft Innovation & Policy Center in Washington, D.C. hosts the @Microsoft series, featuring panel discussions with members of Congress, administration officials and leading experts on a wide range of topics. The events are free, open to the public and present an opportunity to engage in policy debates with thought leaders at the highest levels of government. To learn more about this and other events, please follow @MicrosoftIPC on Twitter, or visit the Innovation & Policy Center’s Facebook page.