Invest in pre-k for long-term gains

By Stephanie Blank and Mindy Binderman


Georgia legislators face the tough task of steering our state out of fiscal crisis while assuring our future economic competitiveness. A key to this mission is deciding how best to ensure the sustainability and positive results of Georgia pre-k and the HOPE Scholarship.

While pre-k is not in the spotlight as often as HOPE, lawmakers should recognize that early learning is the foundation for a strong, competitive workforce.

Not long ago, the critical importance of intellectual stimulation during a child’s first years was unknown. An increasing body of research now shows that more than 85 percent of the foundation for communication, critical thinking and literacy is developed by age 5. Education and nurturing during these early years can shape the future prospects for our children, and society at large. Strong programs like Georgia pre-k, which serves 4-year-olds across the state, have been shown to increase standardized test scores and high school graduation rates, and reduce crime, delinquency and teen pregnancy.

Such benefits provide an economic basis for investing in early childhood education. Economists have shown that for every public dollar invested in high-caliber early education, an average of $7 can be saved by ensuring that children are prepared to succeed in school and life, thereby reducing the need for remedial education and the costs of other social service supports. Multiply this by the 82,000 4-year-olds served by Georgia pre-k, and you see the bottom-line impact.

Yet, many children in our state do not have access to Georgia pre-k, even though it is intended to be universal. Once the available slots are filled, other 4-year-olds are placed on a waiting list and ultimately denied access more often than not. As of last August, 10,752 students were on this list. If Georgia’s pre-k program served all of the state’s 4-year-olds we could see even greater long-term savings. Ultimately, if every Georgia child under the age of 5 had access to quality care and early education we could reap exponential rewards that positively impact our communities and the bottom-line.

Some may argue that more investment in Georgia pre-k should benefit only families who cannot afford quality childcare on their own. But making enrollment income-based is counter-productive: most school failure occurs in children above the poverty line. Many families earn too much to qualify for an income-based program, but too little for a high-quality, private pre-k program.

Early education and care represents nearly a third of average monthly expenses for a middle-class family with two small children, according to a Pew Center’s Pre-K Now report. That is a higher percentage than the family spends on food, transportation, health care or rent.

Not only will an investment in early childhood education, such as Georgia pre-k, help children and their families, it will support the economic activity of the state as a whole. According to a study by the state’s Department of Early Care and Learning, the availability of childcare in Georgia supports annual parent earnings of at least $13 billion. Moreover, the childcare industry as a whole generates $4.1 billion in the state each year.

In this challenging economic climate, it is more critical than ever to invest our limited resources in proven economic strategies. Georgia’s nationally recognized pre-k, which prepares children with the knowledge and skills required to compete in our global economy, is the correct strategy.

Stephanie Blank is founding chair of the governing board of the Georgia Early Education Alliance for Ready Students (GEEARS).

Mindy Binderman is executive director.