Study Touts Benefits of Universal Preschool

The report released Tuesday also said a high-quality preschool program would create a more qualified, internationally competitive workforce and foster economic growth.

Though other studies have explored the benefits of preschool programs for disadvantaged youngsters, the Rand report is the first to provide a detailed cost analysis for universal preschool in California open to all children without regard to income.

"I think the study provides a basis for understanding at least the economic side of a program like this," said lead author Lynn A. Karoly, a Rand senior economist. "Obviously, there are a lot of other factors, from the politics of it to financing, to actual implementation -- how you would make it reality on the ground. But we see this as one piece of the pie that can inform decision making."

In calculating benefits, the Rand researchers assumed a universal preschool program would be voluntary, include a half-day of activities and highly qualified teachers as well as enroll about 70% of the state's estimated 550,000 4-year-olds.

Such a program would cost about $1.7 billion annually. But the researchers concluded that investment would result in an estimated $4.4 billion in new benefits to California over the lives of the children who completed a year's attendance.

For each group of 4-year-olds that completes a year's attendance, researchers foresee 13,800 fewer children held back a grade, 62,500 fewer years spent in special education, 7,300 fewer juvenile arrests, 4,700 fewer reported cases of child abuse and neglect, and 10,000 additional high school graduates.

The California outcomes were based, in part, on reviews of the most rigorous national studies, Karoly said. The David and Lucile Packard Foundation funded her research as part of an initiative to educate the public about the merits of preschool.

The study comes amid growing interest in universal preschool in California. Los Angeles County has just launched an ambitious $600-million program funded by tobacco taxes, and filmmaker Rob Reiner is expected to propose a statewide universal preschool ballot measure in June 2006.

Earlier this year, state Supt. of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell backed preschool for all.