Pew Report Supports Early Ed

“Pay now or pay later” says the recent Pew Center on the States partnership. The rewards of investing quality early education and healthy childhood development are better known now than ever before. Research proves substantial educational, social and financial benefits for children and communities for quality early education.

By contrast, some of the “pay later” outcomes include child abuse and neglect, high school dropouts, criminal activity, teen pregnancy, drug and alcohol abuse and other health problems. The average tangible costs associated with poor outcomes, such as child abuse may cost at least $30,000 for foster care and medical and mental health services. A high school dropout costs society an estimated $250,000 through lower earnings.

Pew’s policy brief summarizes research by Drs. Mark Cohen, Alex Piquero, and Wesley Jennings for the Partnership for America’s Economic Success. See www.partnershipforsuccess.org and www.pewcenteronthestates.org.