Investing in high-quality early childhood education programs has been shown to provide significant long-term benefits for both children and society. Studies on programs like the Perry Preschool Project have quantified higher earnings, lower crime rates, and better health outcomes for kids who attend preschool. The returns on investment can be as high as 7-10% per year, exceeding stock market returns. As such, funding cuts for pre-K education are shortsighted. Restoring support for early learning programs should be a priority, as it saves money over time by improving life outcomes. Quality preschools equip kids with crucial academic and social skills for lifelong success.
Preschool boosts academic performance and cuts high school dropout rates
Research on preschool programs in states like Oklahoma, North Carolina and nationally with Head Start conclusively shows early education reduces high school dropout rates significantly. It also leads to better performance on standardized tests across subject areas. The cognitive and learning capacities preschool imparts to kids have significant impact on their future educational attainment.
Early education develops crucial social skills for better life outcomes
High-quality pre-K helps kids behave better and live healthier lives. The soft skills learned in preschool carry over into adulthood. Preschool graduates have higher earnings over their lifetimes in part because of greater employability enabled by positive social abilities cultivated at an early age.
Investing in preschool fights socioeconomic inequity for at-risk kids
The benefits of early childhood programs are most pronounced for disadvantaged children from low-income households. Quality preschool can help break cycles of poverty by equipping these kids with tools for success. This helps explain lower teen pregnancy rates and reduced likelihood of criminal behavior later in life among preschool attendees.
Universal preschool access will aid US competitiveness and growth
Countries like China and Mexico have already pledged major expansions of early education to bolster future productivity and growth. Economists recognize preschool as one of the highest return policy investments governments can make. In addition to lifiting individuals out of poverty, scaling up preschool enrollment will make the American workforce more skilled and internationally competitive.
In an increasingly complex global economy, investing in the development of young minds is imperative. Although preschool requires significant upfront public expenditure, it generates savings and broader socioeconomic benefits over the long haul. Financially, the data shows funding high-quality early education more than pays for itself. Even more importantly, it empowers disadvantaged youth and strengthens the social fabric.