In the last two years, the education world has seen a focus on ensuring that the figures for high school graduates and college attendees maintain an upward curve. In many states they have, but not as much or as quickly as expected.

But this progress needs to be uniform, or the learning gaps will be more lopsided than ever. What is actually needed is an improved education right from the elementary level, and quality early-childhood education programs provide the right foundation for learning.

As learning gets more intense at later grade levels, this foundation helps students cope easily with the increasing workload and perform well at the same time. Schools need adequate resources and funding to create the ideal environment that nurtures child growth and development and also helps them reach their full potential.

In the last few years, Maryland has increased funding in education, and the results are showing. In February, Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley wrote an article for The Huffington Post about the need for investing in schools and providing children with an opportunity for growth at higher levels than the previous generations.

"The most valuable investment we can make is in our children's education," O'Malley wrote. "That's why every year for eight years we have made record investments in our public schools."

O'Malley pointed out that Maryland's schools have been rated No. 1 in the country by Education Week for five years in a row. According to the College Board, Maryland's students are No. 1 in AP success for seven years in a row and are still ahead in taking more science and math AP tests than in any other state. Lower-income students in the state are also making greater leaps in achievement, and high school graduation rates are at an all-time high.

These positive outcomes are a result of focused funding and utilization of resources right from the pre-K levels. The results have been motivating for Maryland and many other states who are emulating this model to improve their own education funding structure. The chart below from The Huffington Post provides a quick glimpse of the total funds invested in Maryland's education.

Of course, no success model can be replicated blindly. Funding and resource allocation vary from state to state — and from one school district to another. Typically, each state combines income, corporate and sales taxes, along with other fees to provide about 48 percent of the budget for K-12 schools.

Improving resources and enhancing utilization would mean increased funding for textbooks, teaching aids and technology in schools. But it should also aid in increasing teacher pay and even establishing salary supplements for teachers with advanced degrees. These will help create the positive atmosphere that will foster individual growth of the students.

Pennsylvania state Rep. Margo Davidson understands the need for a solid foundation and has become a strong advocate for adequate funding for pre-K education in the state.

The state-funded Keystone Stars program is a particular focus since it is poised to increase the academic and social skills of students. Around 17 percent of pre-K children in Pennsylvania's Delaware County are enrolled in Keystone Stars facilities, a number that Davidson hopes will increase when the funding is improved as well.

This solid early education foundation will eventually lead to a higher-quality individual life and lesser dependency on public benefits. Children who receive high-quality early learning are more likely to graduate in time and receive higher education, which aids in getting better careers.

Competition between states has seen a spate of recent activities, with each state announcing better funding structures for their schools.

That includes North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory, who this month announced a series of education initiatives that include increased teacher pay and funding for advanced teaching aids. He also announced increasing the early childhood education funding by $3.6 million and doubling the state funding for textbooks to $46 million among other steps.

For states like California, which has received widespread criticism for its failing public school system, new school funding could bring in a much-needed transformation. According to a new report released by Stanford's Policy Analysis for California Education, California school districts need to set strategic goals for 2020 and then carefully spend the new funding coming their way.

Years of painful budget cuts have left deep scars in the public school system in the state, and these new revenues (which can even be 50 to 75 percent more state revenue per pupil) will be crucial to overcoming that damage. However, administrators are concerned that spending mechanisms should not focus on filling the past deficits but rather on long-term strategies for improvement.

The need of the hour is focused funding, both when it is disbursed at state level and when it is utilized at school level.