In many states, one of the major barriers to implementing PK-3 is funding Prekindergarten. Enriching Children, Enriching the Nation, by economist Robert G. Lynch, addresses this issue. Lynch shows that investments in high-quality Prekindergarten - whether a universal program or one targeted to low-income children - pay off dramatically for state government.

Previous cost-benefit studies of Prekindergarten include the benefits to individuals such as higher earnings and benefits to society such as less crime. Those concerned with balancing state budgets also have a more practical question. When do state governments start to get returns on their investment in Prekindergarten?

Enriching Children, Enriching the Nation answers this question. Lynch shows that 80 percent of states would see surpluses from expenditures for targeted PK programs in 10 years or less. For a universal program, budget benefits alone would exceed program costs within 25 years for 49 states. Lynch based his analysis on the Prekindergarten component of the Chicago Child-Parent Centers, a PK-3 program established in 1968.

FCD President, Ruby Takanishi, stated, "Troubling results from the National Assessment of Education Progress (NAEP) show that only about two in five White and Asian fourth graders were proficient in reading in 2005, and fewer than one in five Black, Hispanic, and low-income children demonstrated proficiency in reading. Aligned with quality K-3 education, quality Prekindergarten can improve these results. Enriching Children, Enriching the Nation shows that expanding Prekindergarten also makes fiscal sense for states."

Fact Sheet

State-by-State Budget Analysis - Targeted

State-by-State Budget Analysis - Universal

For additional cost-benefit analyses of Prekindergarten, see Dollars and Sense: A Review of Economic Analyses of Pre-K by Albert Wat and published by Pre-K Now in May 2007.