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OPINION

and early development, and its graduates’ offsprings have demon-
strated advantages when they enroll in preschool programs later on.
Data also shows that down the road, these children have better col-
lege achievement rates than non- participants.
Beyond inadequate preschool programs, poorly funded public
schools, low high school graduation rates, and subpar college readi-
ness rates only add to the equation.
With San Antonio’s economic segregation come health and edu-
cational disparities. This unacceptable situation will continue unless
local thought leaders succeed in convincing policymakers and the
general public that San Antonio’s future depends on everyone work-
ing together to give our city’s children opportunities to succeed. RESOURCES
Think about these outcomes a chain with individual links. I only 1. www.sanantonioeducationforum.com
touched on two links, and every link counts. 2. http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/early/2016/
I look forward to discussing the state of San Antonio’s preschool 12/29/peds.2016-1459
education at the upcoming forum at the Witte Museum on March 3. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1471-0528.
6
6 – the future of our city depends on what we do now to ensure 13909/abstract
4. https://parentsasteachers.org
our children can achieve academic and economic success.
5. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/56be46a6b6aa60
dbb45e41a5/t/57f418c6cd0f684b529a13f7/1475614918330/Fac
Dr. John Menchaca is a semi-retired pediatrician and a member of the t_Sheet_SchoolReadiness_4_21_
BCMS Public Health Committee. 6. www.sanantonioeducationforum.com

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