Universal Preschool: Lawmakers Should Approach with Caution. Policy Analysis. Number 924

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Preschool Education; Access to Education; Federal Legislation; Government Role; Educational Policy; Low Income Students; Preschool Children; Disadvantaged; Educational Quality; Federal Programs; Social Services; Preschool Teachers; Teacher Certification; Teacher Salaries; Parent Attitudes; Religious Schools; Preschools; Disabilities; Gender Discrimination; Educational Legislation

Head Start; Americans with Disabilities Act 1990; Title IX Education Amendments 1972

Education is not a one-size-fits-all endeavor. When looking at preschool or K-12 education, having a diversity of options is essential. Yet there continue to be calls for the federal government to pass a universal preschool program like the one in President Biden's Build Back Better Act. The author states that this is clearly unconstitutional: the U.S. Constitution grants no authority over education to the federal government. But, perhaps just as important, a universal preschool program would be harmful policy. The mandates and regulations that would accompany a federal universal program would likely put many providers out of business. Smaller providers would be particularly hard-hit. The most likely to survive would be one of the less popular options: secular, center-based preschools. There is strong evidence that universal programs are less helpful for disadvantaged children than targeted programs, while the research is mixed as to the benefits of preschool programs of all sizes. This article argues that, all things considered, implementing universal preschool, with the goal of helping lower-income families, would likely be counterproductive.

ERIC

2022

ED621992