Monthly Archives: March 2011

Increasing bachelor degree attainment as an economic development strategy

Posted on March 31, 2011 by

In chapter 12 of Investing in Kids, I also provide estimates for how an increase in the attainment of bachelor degrees will affect a state’s economic development. Although some bachelor degree holders will leave their home state, others will remain. … Continue reading →

Posted in Early childhood programs, Economic development

Reducing high school dropouts as an economic development strategy

Posted on March 30, 2011 by

In chapter 12 of Investing in Kids, I also consider how reducing the high school dropout rate benefits a state economy. As with early childhood programs and other educational investments, reducing high school dropouts affects economic development by affecting labor … Continue reading →

Posted in Early childhood programs, Economic development

How to make the economic case for early childhood programs to the business community and policymakers

Posted on March 29, 2011 by

One question I have sometimes been asked is how to most effectively make the economic case for early childhood programs to the business community and to policymakers. I certainly have no magic answers. But here are a few suggestions, based … Continue reading →

Posted in Early childhood programs, Economic development

Aggressive online pricing by Amazon

Posted on March 28, 2011 by

As of right now, March 28 at a little after 1 p.m.,  Amazon is aggressively pricing my book, Investing in Kids. The paperback price is $12.12 (regular price is $20.00), and the hardback is priced at $20 (regular price is … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized

Increasing secondary school test scores also provides economic development benefits, but probably with a lower benefit-cost ratio than elementary improvements

Posted on March 28, 2011 by

In chapter 12 of Investing in Kids, I also consider the economic development benefits of improvements in test scores in secondary school. These economic development benefits are the increase in a state’s per capita earnings. These increases in per capita … Continue reading →

Posted in Economic development, Uncategorized

Jean Jennings Bartik, 1924-2011

Posted on March 25, 2011 by

Jean Jennings Bartik, my mother, died on March 23, 2011. She was 86. My mom lived a life full of determination, integrity, a sense of humor, and a positive philosophy. Those of us who knew her and loved her, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized

Improving elementary school test scores also yields state economic development benefits

Posted on March 24, 2011 by

Early childhood education is obviously not the only way to improve local labor force quality, and thereby improve local per capita earnings. Other policies can also improve local labor force quality. Many such policies can do so in a cost-effective … Continue reading →

Posted in Economic development | 1 Comment

Why Head Start should be improved, not defunded

Posted on March 23, 2011 by

Head Start is currently threatened with a significant funding cut. As part of the political fight over budget deficits, the House of Representatives has  proposed significant funding cuts to Head Start for fiscal year 2011 (the current fiscal year) of … Continue reading →

Posted in Early childhood program design issues, Early childhood programs | 6 Comments

Podcast at Early Ed Watch

Posted on March 22, 2011 by

A podcast interview with me is now up at the blog Early Ed Watch. I was interviewed by Lisa Guernsey, who directs the New America Foundation’s Early Education Initiative, and edits the blog Early Ed Watch. Early Ed Watch is … Continue reading →

Posted in Early childhood programs, Economic development

Good preschool teaching: what is it?

Posted on March 21, 2011 by

Several readers have asked me to comment on a recent article in Slate magazine by Alison Gopnik. The article was titled “Why Preschool Shouldn’t Be Like School”. The subtitle was “New research shows that teaching kids more and more, at … Continue reading →

Posted in Early childhood program design issues, Early childhood programs