Upstream Investments,Downstream Returns

Michael BurkeVice PresidentBuffett Early Childhood Fund

mb@buffettearly.orgCell: 402-541-4143

One Thing Leads to Another

•Opportunity gap

•Achievement gap

•Productivity gap

Where is the Biggest Bang for the Buck?

Disparities in Early Vocabulary Growth

16 mos. 24 mos. 36 mos.

Cu

mu

lati

ve V

ocab

ula

ry (

Word

s)

College Educated Parents

Working Class Parents

Welfare Parents

Child’s Age (Months)

200

600

1200

Source: Hart & Risley (1995)

A Vision for an Upstream Investment

Recognize children are born learning – and the first five years of life are the first five years of learning.

Start early – with those at greatest risk.

Close the productivity gap and erase the achievement gap by narrowing the opportunity gap.

Ensure that disadvantaged young children – instead of starting school already behind – arrive at Kindergarten on par with average students across the country.

Educare – Partnership, Place, Program, Platform

Making Nebraska the Best Place in America to be a Baby