Kagi highlights state triumphs in early learning at Harvard

Scientific research on how human intelligence and perceptions develop in the first years of life can bridge political divisions and inspire a shared vision of leadership that benefits America’s children.

That was the message that local state Rep. Ruth Kagi (D-Shoreline) carried to Harvard University on Dec. 5.

The Lake Forest Park Democrat was invited to the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard to explain how the science of brain development in young children helped to unite business and political leaders behind landmark efforts to promote early learning in Washington state.

“Our success in building a united front for kids and early learning is attracting national attention from people who want to see similar progress in their own states,” Kagi said. “My message at Harvard was that shared values and objective science can overcome political differences and lead to better policies and outcomes for kids.”

Kagi was invited to share the Washington State experience by Dr. Jack Shonkoff who heads the Center on the Developing Child at Harvard.

At a panel discussion on how science can impact lawmaking, Kagi told a packed auditorium that “the magic of science” was crucial in propelling Washington State investments in early learning.

One story told by Kagi recalled that after a scientific presentation on brain research, the “most conservative ranking Republican, who had stopped every piece of early childhood legislation in the past five years, came up to me and said, ‘I get it.’” The result was strong bipartisan support for new policies and investments aimed at improving child care and early learning in Washington State.

In 2007, the Legislature appropriated more than $134 million to carry out the missions of the state Department of Early Learning.

Kagi is the author of several of the policies that launched Washington State’s pioneering efforts in early learning, including the laws that created the Washington Early Learning Council and the cabinet-level Department of Early Learning. She continues to lead progress on the issue as chair of the Early Learning and Children’s Services Committee in the House of Representatives.