The goal of our education system is to impart the foundational skills and knowledge needed to succeed in work and life. But in an economy that looks vastly different than it did 20 years ago, a traditional approach to education is struggling to equip students with the skills in the most demand among the nation’s leading businesses.

To ensure that America’s workforce is prepared for the jobs of the future, businesses are investing in today’s students. Research demonstrates by the time students are in middle school, gaps in their educational attainment have largely been set, and will continue to widen as they age. Supporting high-quality early childhood education is critical to ensuring all children are afforded the opportunity to succeed—and America’s business leaders have a responsibility for securing that promise.