Name: The economic case for preschool
Uploaded: 2013-05-06T15:07:35Z
Duration: 15 min 32 s
Description: In this well-argued talk, Timothy Bartik makes the macro-economic case for preschool education -- and explains why you should be happy to invest in it, even if you don't have kids that age (or kids at all). The economic benefits of well-educated kids, it turns out, go well beyond the altruistic.

In this well-argued talk, Timothy Bartik makes the macro-economic case for preschool education -- and explains why you should be happy to invest in it, even if you don't have kids that age (or kids at all). The economic benefits of well-educated kids, it turns out, go well beyond the altruistic.

The economic case for preschool

Investing in early childhood education yields a powerful economic return for states, boosting local job growth and wages far beyond the classroom. Rigorous studies show every dollar spent on preschool can generate up to $2.78 in higher per capita earnings for residents. These benefits ripple out, raising wages even for those without children in the program. The greatest challenge is choosing to invest now for a future payoff that lifts entire communities.