by Krystal Paco

Guam - Higher graduation rates, less welfare, and less crime are just some of the potential outcomes if bill 274 becomes law.

Introduced by Senator Aline Yamashita, Tony Ada, Speaker Judi Won Pat, and Vice Speaker BJ Cruz, the legislation phases in pre-school throughout the island's public school system.

Senator Aline Yamashita says within the first year of implementation, four schools should have pre-K with a full implementation by the year 2020.

"While we consider building another penitentiary and we talk about the over 700 criminals in holding or to be tried, more and more of us are in agreement that that intervention is key. We also have to do more in prevention," she said.

Yamashita notes that for every dollar invested in early learning, there's a $10 to $12 return.