Important National Reports

2010 Budget Fact Sheet
This fact sheet by the National Women’s Law Center outlines what the 2010 fiscal budget plans for and what it means for several programs important to women and families: health care reform, early care and education, education and training, enforcement of civil rights and worker protections, relief for low- to moderate-income families, retirement security, and tax reform.

Exceptional Returns: Economic, Fiscal, and Social Benefits of Investment in Early Childhood Development
This report by the Economic Policy Institute covers the social and academic benefits to high-quality early education and focuses on the economic benefits. It states that a long-term investment in early childhood development could have a strong positive effect on social security. The report estimates that it would take 17 years for the budget (of all three levels combined) to see a net benefit, but that 30 years of implementation the budget benefits would be more than double the costs of the program. The appendices offer case studies of successful preschool programs and the methodology of the study.

Children’s Budget 2008
Federal spending on children affects every young person in America. Whether they benefit from an education program or a health care grant, all children are affected by federal budget choices. Annual spending on children continues to decrease as part of a 45-year trend in which the children’s share of the budget has declined 23% since 1960.

Entering Kindergarten: Findings From the Condition of Education 2000
When determining school readiness and effectiveness, it is useful to consider not only what the average child knows at school entry but also the range of knowledge across an entire class of children. This provides a deeper look into progress made in Kindergarten while considering student skills upon entering Kindergarten.

P reschool For All: Investing in a Productive and Just Society
Ensuring that all children have the opportunity to enter school ready to learn requires national reform in the federal approach to early learning. The ultimate goal should be universal access to free, high-quality prekindergarten classes, offered by a variety of providers, for all children whose parents want them to participate.

Opportunity in America: The Role of Education
If equal opportunities in achieving the American Dream are possible, greater and more effective investments in education must be in place for America’s youngest children. The most important step the nation can take is to strengthen and reform the education system so that it compensates for differences in family background.

The Productivity Argument for Investing in Young Children
Early investments in child development programs for children from disadvantaged environments may lead to a safer and a more productive society.

Reducing Poverty Through Preschool Interventions
Today’s investments in the early education of young children from low-income families may help reduce poverty in the future. Authors propose a research based intensive two-year program for three and four year olds that proves to be socially profitable.