For The Transcript
James J. Heckman, Ph.D., a 2000 Nobel Prize winner in economic sciences, will be among the keynote speakers at the Oklahoma Economic Summit on Early Childhood Investment Monday at the Skirvin Hilton in Oklahoma City.
Business and community leaders from across the state are expected to attend and participate in the event which will focus on the dramatic economic and social impact of investing in children during their formative years.
"Research shows that the most critical time in the development of children occurs before the age of four, and if a child is not reading, writing and performing math at grade level by the third grade, the likelihood is the child will never catch up," said Pat Potts, president of the Potts Family Foundation.
"When young children are deprived of quality early life experiences, the result is a lack of readiness for school and life, subsequent education failure and high costs for remediation."
The program is 11:45 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. in the Skirvin's Grand Ballroom and will feature panel discussions with Oklahoma's top business and community leaders.
Keynote speakers also will include nationally renowned experts Robert H. Dugger, Ph.D., and Sonya Anderson, Ph.D.
Cost to attend is $50 and includes lunch. More information is available by calling 278-6978.
Co-sponsors for the Summit include: Smart Start Oklahoma, the Inasmuch Foundation, American Fidelity Foundation, the Potts Family Foundation, Oklahoma DHS, the George Kaiser Family Foundation, the Partnership for America's Economic Success and OG--E.
A series ofmMini-summits will be held in rural communities across the state this fall. Follow @OKChildInvest on Twitter to receive updates and new information.
