A Think Twice Review of:

Do We Already Have Universal Preschool?

Think Twice - Nov 12, 2015

Publisher/Think Tank - Brookings Institution

Author(s) - Grover J. (Russ) Whitehurst and Ellie Klein

A Brookings Institution project called “Evidence Speaks” claims in a recent report that advocates exaggerate unmet need as well as the cost of universal pre-kindergarten. Unfortunately, an academic review of the report released today finds the report vastly underestimates unmet need and costs. The report estimates that 69 percent of all four-year-olds already attend preschool and that universal access tops out at 80 percent enrollment. The report estimated that only $2 to $4 billion per year would be needed.

Reviewer(s) - W. Steven Barnett, National Institute for Early Education Research (NIEER) at Rutgers University

Unfortunately, an academic review of the report released today finds the report vastly underestimates unmet need and costs. According to the review, both estimates are based on serious factual errors and unfounded assumptions. Regarding the overall usefulness of the report, Professor W. Steven Barnett determines, “The report’s conclusions regarding needs and the costs to meet them are invalid and misleading, and it should not be used as a basis for policymaking.”