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Pre-K - Why

The early years of a child's life are a time of unmatched opportunity. During these precious years, a child's ability to learn and contribute to society throughout life is most greatly influenced. This is why early care and education is so important. From birth to age 5, a window of opportunity exists to dramatically shape a child’s brain architecture at a time when it is extremely receptive and malleable – laying the foundation for future learning.¹

Early education develops skills such as paying attention, showing persistence in finishing tasks, accepting new responsibilities and making friends. It provides a language-rich environment that helps children develop early reading skills such as recognizing letters, consonant and vowel sounds. About 40 percent of California’s preschoolers are English learners – high-quality pre-k gives them a solid foundation in language that helps promote school success.²

For every dollar, high-quality preschool provides a $7 to $16 return on investment by saving government spending on education, the criminal justice system and public assistance and increasing tax revenues.³

Based on standard economic procedures of cost-benefit analysis, findings show that a child-development intervention has substantial long-term benefits to society through increased economic well-being and reduced expenditures for remediation and treatment.

Sources

1. National Scientific Council on the Developing Child (2008). The Timing and Quality of Early Experiences Combine to Shape Brain Architecture.
2. Gandara, P. & Rumberger, R. (2007). Resource Needs for California's English Learners. Stanford, CA: Institute for Research on Education Policy & Practice.
3. Schweinhart, L. et. al. (2005). Lifetime Effects: The High/Scope Perry Preschool Study Through Age 40. Yipsilanti, MI: High/Scope Educational Research Foundation, p. 131 and Reynolds, A. et. al. (2002). Age 21 Cost-Benefit Analysis of the Title I Chicago Child-Parent Centers. Educational Evaluation and Policy Analysis 24. Read Research Shows: The Benefits of High-Quality Preschool.