Holly Higgins
Office 202.862.9863
Mobile 202.834.6846
hhiggins@preknow.org

(Washington, DC) – Policymakers and advocates seeking evidence that pre-kindergarten is a sound investment will find it in Dollars and Sense: A Review of Economic Analyses of Pre-K. The report, released today by Pre-K Now, a public education and advocacy organization, provides a "one-stop shop" of the most current and relevant economic impact studies of pre-k to help stakeholders understand and articulate the benefits of investing in America's youngest learners.

"High-quality pre-k sets the trajectory for a lifetime of positive outcomes," said Libby Doggett, Ph.D., executive director of Pre-K Now. "This report makes clear that children, families, and communities benefit in numerous ways from investments in pre-k."

The movement toward state-funded, voluntary high-quality pre-k for all three and four year olds has grown substantially over the last few years, emboldened by a solid research base indicating that pre-k makes the most of brain development in young children, results in stronger social, reading and math skills and ultimately, yields significant financial returns for participants, governments, and communities.

Dollars and Sense highlights the strengths and major findings of ten studies that provide a comprehensive examination of the topic. Some focus on targeted pre-k programs rather than programs for all children; others have a national perspective with implications for federal policy; some strongly emphasize the role of quality; others provide evidence that pre-k saves money in the criminal justice system; still others focus on savings to school systems or on pre-k's impact on job growth.

Financial experts have been impressed with the ability of voluntary, high-quality pre-k to create a more productive workforce, to stimulate the economy, and to yield significant financial returns. A growing number of business leaders and economists - people who know financial management - are increasingly convinced that high-quality pre-k is a sound investment.

"The ability to select the most relevant study for a given fiscal or policy context is critical to effectively understanding and articulating the economic benefits of pre-k," said Albert Wat, State Policy Analyst of Pre-K Now and the report's primary author. "The strength behind this body of research is the consistent finding of economic benefits from high-quality pre-k."

Pre-K Now collaborates with state advocates and policymakers to lead a movement for high-quality pre-kindergarten for all three and four year olds. The following funders contribute to making this important work possible: The Pew Charitable Trusts, the David and Lucile Packard Foundation, RGK Foundation, the Foundation for Child Development, CityBridge Foundation, PNC Financial Services Group, and the Schumann Fund for New Jersey.

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• Dollars and Sense: A Review of Economic Analyses of Pre-K