Monthly Archives: June 2011

Responding to skeptics of early childhood programs as local economic development

Posted on June 30, 2011 by

I gave presentations on Tuesday, June 28, 2011,  to business summits sponsored by two of the Great Start Collaboratives in Michigan, in Cass County and Berrien County. I appreciate their interest in my work. My prepared text tried to respond … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized

Why early childhood education benefits others in the local economy, not just program participants

Posted on June 29, 2011 by

Some skeptics about early childhood programs accept that these programs may be effective in increasing the future earnings of participants. But, a skeptic could say, even if former participants stay in the local economy, how does this benefit others in … Continue reading →

Posted in Early childhood programs, Economic development

Recent testimony by Art Rolnick

Posted on June 28, 2011 by

Dr. Art Rolnick, former research director of the Minneapolis Fed, recently testified before the U.S. Congress on early childhood programs as economic development programs.  The hearing and Dr. Rolnick’s testimony was requested by Senator Al Franken, who also questioned Dr. … Continue reading →

Posted in Business incentives, Early childhood programs, Economic development, National vs. state vs. local

Designing better funding for early childhood programs

Posted on June 27, 2011 by

Steve Barnett and Jason Hustedt have a new issue brief for the National Institute for Early Education Research (NIEER), on financing early learning programs.  This issue brief analyzes many aspects of the financing of early learning programs. But I want … Continue reading →

Posted in Early childhood program design issues, Early childhood programs

Where is business community support for early childhood programs?

Posted on June 24, 2011 by

Well-known economist Nancy Folbre raised an important issue about the business community and early childhood programs in her recent contribution to the New York Times’ “Economix” blog. The issue is: why isn’t there more active business support for early childhood … Continue reading →

Posted in Early childhood programs, Economic development | 2 Comments

Big cuts in early childhood programs in North Carolina

Posted on June 23, 2011 by

Last week, the North Carolina legislature overrode Governor Bev Perdue’s veto and approved a budget that cuts the state’s two major early childhood programs by 20 percent.  These cuts are to the state’s “More at Four” preschool program for at-risk … Continue reading →

Posted in Early childhood programs, Economic development

How difficult is “high-quality” preschool?

Posted on June 22, 2011 by

Well-known blogger Matt Yglesias had a post on preschool recently. In this post, Yglesias argued that implementing preschool programs at a large scale, at high-quality, is difficult.  Yglesias’s argument is overstated. The research suggests that most states and local governments … Continue reading →

Posted in Early childhood program design issues, Early childhood programs

Request for questions

Posted on June 13, 2011 by

I will be out of town until Tuesday June 21st. I may do some posts in that time period, as time permits. However, I don’t expect to resume daily posting until June 22nd. In the interim, please suggest to me … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized

Tennessee’s pre-K program

Posted on June 10, 2011 by

A recent report on Tennessee’s state-funded pre-k program has led to some controversy over the program’s effects. The report’s authors, Strategic Research Group, concluded that “the results provide evidence that the objective of Tennessee’s Pre-K program – school readiness is … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized

Top five facts to support local government investment in early childhood programs

Posted on June 9, 2011 by

I recently responded to an information request from one early childhood program advocate. This advocate is trying to persuade a local county government to invest funds in early childhood programs. The request was for the “top 5 facts” that might … Continue reading →

Posted in Early childhood programs, Economic development