It’s Time We Support Universal Pre-K (sponsored)

The case for early childhood education is urgent and undeniable. Shockingly, Nevada’s state-funded program, Nevada Ready, only supports 7.8% of its 4-year-olds in Pre-K, a stark contrast to the national standard of 70%, according to the National Institute for Early Education. According to studies from institutions like Harvard University, about 90% of a child’s brain development happens by age 5. It is imperative that we, as a state, step up to invest in our future and make universal pre-K a reality for every 4-year-old in our state.

The positive outcomes of universal pre-K (UPK). Also known as early childhood education (ECE), UPK significantly improves kindergarten readiness, early educational benefits, long-term economic benefits, and health benefits. These outcomes are not theoretical; they have been proven by research and real-world results.

➤ Kindergarten readiness: Children who attend pre-kindergarten programs are more ready for kindergarten, are advanced in language, reading, writing and math skills, and demonstrate positive social-emotional development, executive functioning, and emotion recognition compared to similar children who did not attend pre-kindergarten.

➤ Early educational benefits: Children who attend ECE experience statistically significant reductions in special education placement and grade retention, along with decreased high school disciplinary measures, including criminal activity and juvenile incarceration.

➤ Long-term economic benefits: Children who attend ECE have fewer dropouts and higher rates of college attendance and employment. This is especially true for Black and Hispanic students.

➤ Health benefits: Research by Campbell and colleagues (2014) highlighted significant long-term health benefits from early childhood programs, particularly in reducing the prevalence of risk factors for chronic diseases.

Why are we failing to give our kids a great start in life? Some will say it is too expensive, as the cost per child is between $10,000 and $14,000. However, the long-term costs to the taxpayer should also be considered. According to James J. Heckman, the Henry Schultz Distinguished Service Professor of Economics at The University of Chicago, a Nobel Laureate in Economics, and an expert in the economics of human development, “investing in early childhood education is a cost-effective strategy.

Short-term costs are more than offset by the immediate and long-term benefits through reduced need for special education and remediation, better health outcomes, reduced need for social services, lower criminal justice costs, and increased self-sufficiency and productivity among families.” Additionally, this early education investment provides a return on the investment to taxpayers with the increase in lifetime income, resulting in significantly more consumption and taxes paid.

The challenge is significant, but universal pre-K is achievable in Nevada. This is not easy; only a handful of states currently have universal pre-K. What a way to message our citizens and future employers that Nevada is investing in education. The additional resources needed for universal pre-K include more teachers, classroom space, transportation, and before and after-school child care — not to mention the time it will take to ramp up a statewide program. We are talking years while we disadvantage tens of thousands of young lives.

We simply cannot wait any longer. We must give our Nevada kids every competitive advantage by making the commitment now that Nevada will provide universal pre-K. We can start the process this coming legislative session. Like every challenge this state has overcome in the past, if we set a goal and work together, it will happen. What a great gift for the next generation of Nevadans.

Mike Kazmierski is the executive director of Strengthen our Community.

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