By John Bebow - October 22, 2009
Imagine a business that could offer a four times return on investment. What shareholder wouldn't want a piece of that action?
Too bad Michigan decision makers have been unable to make such a calculation as it relates to the value of preschool programs.
A four times return. That's what Upjohn Institute economist Tim Bartik estimates society would reap from high-quality, half-day preschool for all four-year-olds.
Early childcare advocates were lucky to hold on to a fair portion of $100 million or so in statewide preschool programs during budget negotiations this fall after the Senate originally proposed zeroing out the programs.
Now the battle continues at the local level, where the Early Childhood Investment Corporation urges parents and concerned citizens to "contact their local school administrators and school board members and demand that regardless of the decisions made in Lansing, your local school districts maintain their pre-k programs. The research and data is indisputable, investment in quality pre-k programs not only dramatically improves the educational success of students, but also significantly saves school districts money through reduced retention rates and reduced special education needs."
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