By Senator Sal DiDomenico
Education, public health, and innovation have long defined Massachusetts as a leader among states. Yet when we examine whether all children have genuine opportunities to succeed, significant gaps remain.
A fundamental starting point involves Massachusetts committing to high-quality early education as a right for every child. Research demonstrates that quality early education strongly predicts future success and helps narrow achievement gaps between wealthy and low-income students. Despite this evidence, approximately forty percent of 3 and 4-year-olds in the Commonwealth lack enrollment in any formal preschool program.
Many children begin pre-Kindergarten already lagging behind their peers, and numerous students never recover from this initial disadvantage. Reading proficiency rates illustrate this troubling pattern: more than 40% of third graders cannot read proficiently, with that figure climbing to 61% among children from low-income families. While reading coaches, specialized literacy programs, and summer programs have demonstrated effectiveness in closing achievement gaps, these resources frequently fail to reach the students who need them most.
Supporting children also requires supporting their parents and families comprehensively. Research shows that home visits, prenatal support groups, fatherhood initiatives, and pediatrician outreach produce measurable benefits for children’s outcomes. Yet access to these programs remains limited, and many families remain unaware they exist.
No investment matters more than one directed toward our children, and the time has come to act decisively in building their future.
My Senate colleagues and I recognize that our Commonwealth’s prosperity depends fundamentally on our children’s success. This conviction led us to launch Kids First in 2016, an initiative designed to identify proven policies and strategies that advance positive outcomes for every child statewide.
I am honored to lead Kids First, which takes a comprehensive, interdisciplinary approach to child-supporting policies, emphasizing early childhood development from prenatal care through fourth grade. By fostering dialogue among experts, policymakers, and stakeholders, we can build a holistic framework supporting strong, resilient children and families. The initiative will identify current best practices and investments while also charting long-term actions that position future generations toward productive adulthood.
We acknowledge that children differ significantly—each brings distinct backgrounds and unique needs requiring individualized consideration. No single pathway to success exists, and the challenges we face demand multifaceted solutions.
Fortunately, Massachusetts hosts numerous local organizations performing exceptional work for children, and we have the privilege of drawing on their specialized knowledge across many critical areas.
Kids First pursues ambitious goals with substantial scope. People frequently ask how we can afford the various policy proposals supporting children across the Commonwealth. I respond straightforwardly: how can we afford not to invest in our children?
Senator Sal DiDomenico is Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means and he has represented the Middlesex and Suffolk District since 2010.