It has been obvious for a long time that schools often get kids after they have serious deficiencies.

The important brain development that starts before they are born and continues at an accelerated rate until they are 5 years old is already done by the time they get to kindergarten.

Studies have shown that early exposure to learning, health care and nutrition can head off down-the-road problems and lower high school dropout rates and special education placements.

That’s why even in difficult economic times school districts like Portland’s are wise to expand their early childhood programs.

Portland has long had two Head Start pre-kindergarten classrooms, currently in Riverton and East End schools. They serve 4-year-olds from low-income families, in a program supported by PROP, a social service provider. This fall the district added a multi-age pre-kindergarten at the Early Learning Center at Portland Arts and Technology High School, which also serves as a hands-on learning experience for high school-age vocational students.

The school district is seeking grant funding that would expand its offerings even further. These programs are relatively inexpensive because they can be developed in partnership with outside organizations. But even what’s proposed would only serve a fraction of the 450-500 4-year-olds in the city every year.

Portland is on the right track. Meeting children’s educational needs when their minds are developing is not only a good financial strategy, it will improve students’ lives.