1. Bob Butts Assistant Superintendent of Early Learning Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction 1 Why School Districts Should Invest in the Early Years

2. 2 Four Great Reasons

3. The skills and behaviors of entering Kindergarten children vary tremendously… 3

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5. Once children start behind in the K-12 system, most all of them stay behind… 5

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7. Improving brain function is easiest in the early years… 7

8. Ability to Change Brains and Behaviors Decreases Over Time Source: Center on the Developing Child, Harvard University 8

9. Investing in the early years returns the greatest benefits… 9

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