Does Pre-K Work? The Research on Ten Early Childhood Programs – And What It Tells Us
Research on the effectiveness of early childhood programs is weak and inconclusive on the question of which early interventions are best for disadvantaged children, according to a new report from the American Enterprise Institute (AEI). Does Pre-K Work? The Research on Ten Early Childhood Programs – And What It Tells Us finds that the body of early education research shows only that pre-K programs can have a positive impact on children’s lives, but “falls far short of showing that all programs have that impact.” The authors argue that high-quality child care and voluntary home visiting for low-income families are the most proven policies to benefit disadvantaged children, and should be the primary focus for policymakers.