Yesterday, March 7, Paul Solomon interviewed Professor Jerome Kagan, behavioral psychologist from Harvard, on the extension of the PBS Newshour. The subject was the nurturing and education of poor children. Professor Kagan emphasizes the enormous educational gaps between poor kids and middle class kids.

The conversation can be found at

http://www.pbs.org/newshour/economy/makingsense/

Look for "depressing data about early childhood"

Although the conversation is a little depressing, as an early education advocate, I am impressed by the number of very public places that the issue of early education and care is now being addressed: the Governor's state-of-the-state address, the President's State of the Union address, the editorial pages of a number of newspapers, etc. Perhaps this dialogue will move the issue forward a little faster.