The Charleston Gazette of Charleston, West Virginia had a perceptive editorial the other day, urging the state to accelerate and formalize efforts to fulfill a commitment to having universal pre-kindergarten available to all 4 year olds by 2012. The editorial took note of a political dynamic that I've rarely seen mentioned but is something journalists need to keep in mind. The editorial said:

The payoff from investing in early childhood education requires patience, because it takes 20 years to measure. Who will still be in office to take credit or to feel the satisfaction of the effort? That’s all the more reason why West Virginia should waste no time in boosting the potential of every new mind born here...