Enriching Education: Universal Preschool

 President Biden discussed his free universal preschool plan for all 3- and 4-year-olds during his presidential address in April. His $200 billion proposal will be financed from raising taxes on wealthy Americans.

Universal pre-K programs use public funding to ensure high-quality preschool is available to all families.

Kelly Smith, PhD, assistant professor of political science at Stetson University, is an education, health and public policy and state politics expert. She has conducted research on early childhood education policy, Common Core, bureaucratic and state legislative politics and policy diffusion.

I had a chance to interview her to learn more.

What are the pros and cons of universal preschool?

• One the main pros of universal preschool is that all students qualify to participate.  Not only does this expand access to preschool it also helps bolster political support.  With political support, the program may be more likely to persist and be supported over time.  There is also some evidence that early childhood education can help with social and emotional development (https://seii.mit.edu/research/study/the-long-term-effects-of-universal-preschool-in-boston/?campaign_id=9&emc=edit_nn_20210510&instance_id=30528&nl=the-morning&regi_id=98581950&segment_id=57667&te=1&user_id=040c5a49a8d6da3f98e4a22c7c5bdb15). However, providing access to preschool to all children is more expensive than taking a more targeted approach.  Some states have targeted programs where a student has to qualify to participate in the program.  For example, a student's family may need to be at or below the poverty line to be eligible to participate.  Fewer students qualify with a more targeted approach, but many would argue resources should be directed at the students who have the most need.  Also, some families may not want their child in a structured academic setting so young.  Some parents may prefer to stay home and provide early education experiences themselves.

Why is it important to support policies that promote early childhood education?

• Early childhood education is one important component of an individual's education.  Young children are developing in many ways before they start kindergarten and providing high quality early educational experiences may help support that development.  Promoting early childhood education is important but there is more than one way the government can support early childhood education.  President Biden's plan is focused in increasing access to pre-k.  Other ways to support early education could also include improving the quality of pre-k programs that already exist, supporting pre-k teacher education and professional development, or supporting stay-at-home parents to provide education to their young children.