Following President Obama’s State of the Union address calling for expanded access and quality preschool for every child in America, early childhood education has become a hot topic in state legislatures, city council meetings, and campaign platforms around the country. New York City, New Jersey, and Maine are some of the places looking to join Oklahoma and Georgia with universal Pre-K programs which are being supported by increasingly positive research that points to lasting effects on behavior, academics, and the economy.
For example, the most engaging—and frequently cited—research study, conducted on the Perry Preschool program in Chicago, concluded that every dollar spent on Pre-K programs yields a seven dollar return to society. This cost-benefit analysis is built mostly on other findings that show children who participate in early education are more likely to graduate high school and attend college, less likely to enter the criminal justice system or become teen parents, and tend to have higher earnings as adults. Some critics argue that these benefits have faded by the time children enter the third grade. It’s also possible that kindergarten through third grade teachers are spending too much time and energy helping kids who didn’t attend pre-k to catch up to those who did.
Here in Texas, the national focus on early childhood education has bled into the gubernatorial race between Attorney General Greg Abbott and State Senator Wendy Davis. Both candidates recently released their early education reform platforms, which demonstrate big ideological differences. Republican Greg Abbott’s “Educating Texans” proposal focuses on ensuring that Texas offers high quality pre-k. Under his plan, the current pre-k programs would be maintained while schools would get the option to enter into a second, more enriched pre-k program. This more enriched option, known as the “gold standard,” would earn the districts $1,500 more per student to flexibly spend in whichever way they want- whether they need more teachers, higher salaries, or expanded full day programs. In exchange for opting in to the “gold standard,” districts would be assessed on the long term effects their pre-k program, hopefully identifying the most effective teaching methods. Five years after implementation, the “gold standards” would be assessed and further funding of pre-k would be based on these assessments.
In contrast, Democratic nominee Wendy Davis’ plan would expand access to all four year olds. Currently, the state only funds half-day pre-k for eligible four year olds—foster children, economically disadvantaged, military children, disabled children, homeless children, and English language learners. Under Davis’ plan, every four year old would be eligible for full-day pre-k. In addition, Davis’ proposal has a strong emphasis on solidifying reading and literacy levels by the third grade.
The differences in each nominee’s proposal have led to strong rhetorical attacks from each side criticizing the others plan. Davis has suggested that Abbott’s plan isn’t inclusive of all children; Abbott claims Davis’ plan doesn’t include financial specifics. Either way, it is clear that early childhood education is an important issue for this gubernatorial race and Texas children.