Public preschool

• Background: Head Start federal program, some states have universal programs
• Debate: Higher IQs, lower crime v. Universal system has not proven effective
• Country Comparison: European countries
• Recent Legislation: 2006 California referendum

Background

• State-funded public preschool is usually a means-tested program that provides early education to 3 and 4 year olds. The goal in providing subsidized public preschool for low income families is to provide a stable environment for young children during a crucial age of development. Since poorer parents cannot afford private child-care, their children would be left at home. For many, this means unstable environments and T.V.'s instead of a teachers. It may also force single parents to stay home to raise children instead of work.
• Starting in 1965, Head Start is the nation's longest-running and largest program that provides early education and other services to children of low-income families. The effectiveness of the program is debated, however, a thorough study conducted in 2005 reported some advantages among participants and few areas without any advantage.
• Some states have begun implementation of universal preschool programs including Georgia, Florida, New Jersey, Oklahoma and others. Some states have programs that only target the poor.

Debate

• The benefits of early education are well known. It has an impact on how long children stay in school and whether they turn to crime. A study by the National Institute for Early Education Research says that there are real, measurable returns for money spent on quality, full-day, year-round preschool. James Heckman, an economist at the University of Chicago, has found there is a huge cost-benefit advantage in decreased jail time for poor children who attend preschool. Preschool, in general, can lead to higher IQs, better self-esteem, and fewer behavior issues.
• Critics say the state should not expand education when so many of the country's public schools are failing. Taxpayers should not pay for services they may not be using. Studies on Head Start show mixed results and some have found no evidence that program has lasting benefits. Universal preschool programs, such as those implemented in Oklahoma and Georgia in the mid 1990s, have failed to demonstrate favorable outcomes.

Country Comparison

• Some European Countries adopted some form of universal preschool starting with France in the mid 1800s. Sweden, Belgium, Norway, Spain, Italy, and Greece have all established universal preschool.

Recent Legislation

• In June 2006, California voters defeated the Preschool for All Act, an initiative that would have established part day preschool for all four year olds as a constitutional right.