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Let’s agree the preschool argument is settled. Ample evidence exists that high-quality, pre-kindergarten education has real, lasting benefits for students and society.
About 90 percent of a child’s brain is developed by age 5. Children who enter kindergarten without the proper social and academic skills can quickly fall behind, grow discouraged and become life-long failures.
High quality pre-k has been shown to reduce special education placement, increase graduation rates, increase the odds a child will go to college, reduce anti-social behavior and reduce the likelihood a child will end up in the criminal justice system or become a substance abuser.
The problem, advocacy groups argue, is making quality programs accessible to lower-income parents. The campaign known as “Pre-K for PA” cites an average annual cost of about $8,800 for participation in a private, high-quality, pre-k program. If parents with one child are living at the federal poverty level of $20,090, that’s nearly half their income.
These arguments were reiterated when representatives from different groups recently pushed for more state funding of pre-k programs during a meeting at the Times Leader. The prognosis is bleak, they told us.
“Nearly 71 percent of those 17 to 24 years old are not eligible for military service,” retired U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Thomas Wilson said. Wilson is one of about 600 brass who comprise “Mission: Readiness,” a group pushing for investment in children. Obesity, lack of education and criminal records make the large majority of young people unfit for service, he said.
Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Commerce CEO Wico van Genderen added: “The military and commerce are both technology-driven. We are both competing for that 29 percent” of young adults considered suitable for military service.
The advocates are asking for an additional $90 million in state money for two programs this year, and a total of $470 million over the next four years.
Given that our national security and economic success depend heavily on tech, and that access to quality early education is a smart way to ensure toddlers grow up capable of competing in that world, the ultimate question is: From where does the money come?
“That’s a bear trap,” Wilson conceded.
Steve Doster, state director for Mission: Readiness, said, “We have not taken a position on where the money comes from.”
In fairness, Doster did suggest it need not all be direct tax dollars. He cited options such as tax credit programs and private-public partnerships.
The case for more funding is potent. We risk falling behind as a nation. Moreover, the group cited a study showing Pennsylvania already is falling behind neighboring states, serving only 26 percent of 4-year-olds eligible for pre-k. West Virginia, by comparison, serves 94 percent.
“It’s no longer a question of is this a wise investment?” Doster suggested. “It’s a question of where do we find the money?”
Advocates have the investment part of the argument honed to perfection. But without offering options on where the money comes from, they’re winning only half the battle.