Join the conversation

I have been fairly discouraged reading about the budget situations of states recently. And I am getting even MORE discouraged after learning about some of the tough choices they are making to save money.

One example: Early childhood education programs are being cut across the country.

A recent New Jersey Star-Ledger article talks about a plan by the state’s Senate Republican caucus to cut funding for early childhood education in urban districts, moving from full- to half-day preschools. They claim they don’t have a choice, given the financial situation of the state. And a recent Associated Press article describes Iowa Governor Terry Branstad’s proposal to, for budgetary reasons, scale back the state program that provides pre-school in most of the state’s districts. The Governor does not question the importance of pre-school – but limited state dollars are forcing the issue.

These proposed cuts are quite discouraging for advocates of early childhood education. They should also be discouraging for Americans in general, given the benefit that these programs have for society.

A recent evaluation of the Chicago Public Schools’ federally funded Child Parent Centers (CPCs) found that for every dollar invested in the preschool program, nearly $11 is projected to return to society over participants' lifetimes. That is the equivalent of an 18% annual return on investment.

In this study, researchers followed program participants from pre-school through age 26, analyzing education, employment, public aid, criminal justice, substance use and child welfare records. They found that participation in the CPC resulted in significantly higher rates of attendance at 4-year colleges, employment in higher-skilled jobs, earnings and tax revenues. It also resulted in lower rates of felony arrests, symptoms of depression in young adulthood, special education placement and grade retention.

This is not the first report to show the benefits of early childhood education. And I have no doubt that more will follow. Research has shown the benefits of these programs for years.

Which is why it is so frustrating to hear about states cutting these programs. I get that in tough budget times, choices must be made. But in addition to making sense for what I consider moral reasons - all children deserve the chance to come to kindergarten ready to learn - early childhood education programs actually make economic sense on the long term, too. President Obama recognized it in his recent budget proposal (while I do have concerns with some sections of this budget, I think he got this right). I wish more states could be as far-sighted.

(Hat tip to the Flypaper's Quotable and Notable for alerting me to the New Jersey and Iowa articles)