The Lasting Benefits of Quality Pre-Kindergarten Education

This research project outlines findings on the social and economic benefits of pre-K education both for children and society at large. It finds that while pre-K program attendance correlates with positive cognitive and social outcomes, program quality is the most important determiner of long-term positive outcomes. This research project then applies these findings to the White-Hispanic school readiness gap. It finds that while Hispanic children’s school readiness is particularly responsive to early childhood education and that their enrollment in programs has increased significantly over the last decades, nevertheless, they lack access to high-quality programs. These findings are then interpreted in light of California’s recent rollout of universal transitional kindergarten, which, while a step in the right direction, highlights the challenges of providing access to high-quality early childhood education. Ultimately, the potential for universal early childhood education programs to close school readiness gaps depends on improving the quality of researched programs.