Dive Brief:
- Many states are funding programs to promote early learning, but while policymakers agree on the importance of preschool, disagreement remains on how to best implement it.
- According to Stateline, particular points of contention include where the programs are based, who they're operated by, and how government can best support them.
- Approaches across states include programs that focus primarily on disadvantaged students, rely on private providers, provide full-day classes taught by highly trained educators, or are supervised by local school districts in or outside of existing elementary schools.
Dive Insight:
A number of studies in recent years have reaffirmed the importance of preschool for future educational success. In February, a study by three Duke researchers found that universal preschool programs can save states money by lowering the number who are later placed in special education programs. Preschool can also help many students avert the school-to-prison pipeline.
Still, not everyone is sold. For example, Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton earlier this year proposed utilizing the state's budget surplus to offer a $343 million universal preschool program, but that was ultimately shot down by legislators. The lawmakers were split between the universal model and early learning scholarships, which have existed in the state via the Early Learning Scholarships Program since 2008. However, with pushes for a K-14 model and more lawmakers coming around on the importance of preschool, it could only be a matter of time until the U.S. sees universal pre-K offered in K-12.