Foundations and Current Issues of Early Childhood Education/Chapter 9/9.1

Universal Preschool

By: Barbara Dell

Introduction

Universal preschool is the idea that families should have access to quality preschool programs just as they do the public school system. Universal preschools would allow 3 and 4 year old children access to quality preschool programs that help them to develop skills needed to be successful in kindergarten and beyond. Advocates for universal preschools believe early education improves school readiness and achievement. Evidence shows that the first five years of a child’s life is key to their long-term development and children who are part of a rich learning environment early on do better in school and in life. Many educators, business leaders and economists are recognizing the benefits of providing quality early education to children and are supporting state funded preschools that are available to low-income families. Other countries have also recognized this importance as nearly all 3 to5 year olds in France and Italy are enrolled in publicly funded preschool (Ferrandino & Tirozzi, 2001). There are many research studies highlighting the importance of preschools and many states have already begun providing publicly funded preschools for all 4 year old children. This article will take a look at some of the research that highlights the benefits and cost of universal preschools and which states have already begun working towards preschool for all children.

History

The idea of providing free preschools has been around for some time. In 1965, the Head Start program was created to help poor preschool-aged children develop skills needed to be successful in public schools through access to education programs. However it is the state funded preschools that have become more popular as more advocates for early education and legislators are creating and passing bills that support universal preschools. Much of the awareness is raising from the dissatisfaction of the public school systems. Many believe children are not performing at their grade level and that disadvantage children lack basic skills while advantaged children lack motivation. The idea of universal preschool is thought to help schools succeed by preparing children and getting them ready to learn before they enter the public school system. This would give public school teachers the chance to shape their young minds and not have to worry about teaching basic skills. Research done in the 90’s on early brain development also helped build support for the idea that learning starts before the children enter school at age 5 (Gormley, 2005).

The idea of universal preschool is thought to help schools succeed by preparing children and getting them ready to learn before they enter the public school system.

Research

One of the most influential studies in early childhood education is the High/Scope Perry Preschool study. It was the first study to look at the effects of preschool on educational placement, crime, earning and employment. During this study, David Weikart followed 123 low-income African American children for 40 years to study the effects of preschool. The children were broken into two groups, one group attending the Perry preschool class and the other not. The group that attended the Perry preschool class not only had increased achievement on performance test but were more likely to graduate, find a job, have a higher median income, have fewer arrests and less likely to depend on welfare (Parks, 2000).

In 1985, the Chicago Child-Parent Center began a study comparing low-income four years old who attended a comprehensive preschool to children who began a full-day kindergarten at age 5. The results showed that the children who attended preschool had 41% fewer special education placements and grade retentions, a 29% higher high school graduation rate, and were 33% less likely to be arrested as juveniles (Ferrandino & Tirozzi, 2001).

Another well known study that researched the benefits of early childhood education was the Abecedarian Early Childhood Education Intervention. This study took place in the 1970’s at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The study followed children from low-income families that received full time, high-quality education from infancy to age 5. The children received individualized educational activities which focused on social, emotional and cognitive development. Their progress was monitored over time and consisted of follow-up studies at ages 12, 15 and 21. Children who participated in the study showed higher cognitive test scores, higher academic achievement in math and reading and were more likely to attend a four-year college. The children on average were older when they had their first child and their mothers achieved higher education and employment status (Early learning, later success).

Costs & Benefits

The research studies discussed above provide substantial evidence that children who receive quality education at an early age will benefit now and in their future. However these studies cost money and so does starting a universal preschool program but how much and do the benefits outweigh the costs? When a cost-benefit analysis was done on these studies, it showed the benefits children received from these programs are worth the costs. The Abecedarian Project showed a benefit/cost ratio of 4 to 1 which means for every dollar invested, society received four dollars in return. The High/Scope Perry project and the Chicago study both showed a ratio of 7 to 1; every dollar invested, society received 7 dollars. Other analysis’s concluded that children who take part in such programs earn about $143,000 more in their lifetimes over children who do not participate in the programs. The parents of the these children also benefit because they are able to concentrate on their education and establish long lasting and more productive relationships with employers, allowing them job security and opportunities to make more money. These programs are expensive and many government agencies experience sticker shock when they see the costs of such programs. The High/Scope Perry project estimated $9,200 per child, per year and the Abecedarian Project cost about $13,900. The estimated annual cost of providing quality early education to all low-income children under age 5 would be about $53 billion per year (Bracey & Stellar, 2003). The price is high but research studies show the long-term economical benefits may be higher. The cost of schooling, welfare and criminal justice system may be reduced as children are less likely to repeat grades, need special education, break the law and be dependent on welfare. Such benefits are being noticed by states as they are taking on funding quality preschool programs (Barnett & Hustedt, 2003).

States Providing Universal Preschools

With the price of universal preschools high and the benefits higher, some states are starting quality programs for all 3 to 4 year olds. In 1995, Georgia introduced the first statewide preschool program that would allow free education to all 4 year olds. Other states are following New York, Oklahoma and Florida all have started their own programs and will continue to provide free education to all 4 year olds (Barnett & Hustedt, 2003). California, Illinois, New Mexico, West Virginia and other states are starting to move towards universal preschools as well. Other states are doing so because they see the results from Georgia’s programs. Research shows that children attending the programs in Georgia are making significantly higher test scores on cognitive development and exceeding national norms. Oklahoma is showing improved results as well. Students who normally lag behind are showing vast improvement on pre-reading, writing and math skills (Gormley, 2005).

Conclusion

Universal preschool is a new idea that is rapidly becoming popular. Many administrators, teachers, business leaders and economists believe children’s school and life achievement lies in quality preschool programs and many states agree. Although they can be costly the benefits are proven to not only help the economy but help better the lives of the children and families involved.

Questions

1. Advocates of universal preschools believe early education improves children’s

A. health

B. school readiness and achievement

C. chances of getting a job

D. chances of getting into college

2. Which countries have all 3 to 5 years old enrolled in publicly funded preschools?

A. Australia and China

B. United States and Canada

C. Denmark and Switzerland

D. France and Italy

3. Research shows children who attend quality preschool programs are more likely

A. to graduate high school

B. buy a house

C. get married

D. own a car

4. Cost analysis shows

A. preschool programs are expensive and not worth the benefits

B. society benefits only from providing reduced cost programs

C. society can earn up to 7 dollars per dollar invested in preschool programs

D. there are only short term benefits to providing universal preschools

5. Which state was the first to provide free preschool education to all 4 year olds

A. Oklahoma

B. Illinois

C. Georgia

D. West Virginia

Answers: B, D, A, C, C

• Explain the benefits of providing children with a quality preschool education.

Research studies have found there are many benefits to providing quality preschool education programs to children. Children grow and develop many skills during their first five years of their life and providing them with a quality education can not only help their short-term development but it can provide long-term benefits as well. When children participate in quality education programs they are able to develop academically, socially, emotionally and strengthen their motor skills. They become better prepared for school as they are already learning how to read and write. They also learn to work with others and understand the way a classroom works. In the future children who attend preschool programs are less likely to be held back and require special education class. They are also more likely to graduate from high school, attend a four year college and find a job. Because of their education and ability to find a job, they are able to make more money and provide a good future for their kids. Research has also shown that children who participated in preschool programs are less likely to need welfare, commit crimes and be involved in the juvenile justice system. Not only do these programs benefit the children involved, they benefit their parents, future children and the community around them.

References

Barnett, W. S., & Hustedt J. T. (2003). Preschool: The most important grade. Educational Leadership 60(7), 54-57.

Bracey, G. W., & Stellar, A. (2003). Long-term studies of preschool: Lasting benefits far outweigh costs. Phi Delta Kappan, 84(10), 780-783.

Early learning, later success: The abecedarian study. The Carolina Abecedarian Project. Executive Summary. Retrieved March 7, 2007 from http://www.fpg.unc.edu/~abc/summary.cfm

Ferrandino, V. L., & Tirozzi, G. N. (2001). Early education ensures that we leave no child behind. National Association of Elementary School Principals. Retrieved March 7, 2007, from http://www.naesp.org/ContentLoad.do?contentId=891

Gormley, W. T. (2005). The universal pre-k bandwagon. Phi Delta Kappan, 87(3), 246-249.

Parks, G. (2000). The high/scope perry preschool project. Juvenile Justice Bulletin. Retrieved March 7, 2007 from http://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/ojjdp/181725.pdf