BLOG POSTS ARE PRELIMINARY MATERIALS CIRCULATED TO STIMULATE DISCUSSION AND CRITICAL COMMENT. THE VIEWS EXPRESSED ARE THOSE OF THE INDIVIDUAL AUTHORS. WHILE BLOG POSTS BENEFIT FROM ACTIVE UHERO DISCUSSION, THEY HAVE NOT UNDERGONE FORMAL ACADEMIC PEER REVIEW.
By: Rachel Inafuku
The State of Hawaii has identified a significant gap in preschool enrollment among its youngest learners. Of the 33,224 3- and 4-year olds in the state, only 55% are currently enrolled in preschool programs. While about 20% of families with children in this age group choose to opt out of preschool, there remains a substantial number of underserved children. Specifically, an estimated 8,092 children do not attend preschool, not by family choice, but due to systemic barriers. These barriers include the limited availability of slots in desirable programs and the high cost of private preschools. According to the UH Center on the Family, 86% of Hawaii’s families lack access to preschools that are both affordable and in nearby, convenient locations. Consequently, many families who are eager to enroll their children in preschool find themselves unable to do so, highlighting a critical area for policy intervention and support to ensure broader access to early childhood education.
In 2020, the Hawaii State Legislature enacted Act 46, a landmark initiative aimed at dramatically increasing preschool accessibility with the ambitious goal of universal access by 2032. As part of this effort, the state allocated $200 million in 2022 for the construction of new preschool facilities, jumpstarting enhancements to expand access. Additionally, the state is expanding its Preschool Open Doors (POD) program, which subsidizes private preschool tuition costs. This expansion has led to a 90% increase in enrollment compared to last year. However, Act 46 faces challenges. Like many other states, Hawaii is experiencing a shortage of childcare workers, which could impede the initiative’s success. Despite this, if the state overcomes these obstacles and achieves universal access to preschool by 2032, it could have a major positive impact on Hawaii’s future generations.
Numerous studies highlight the advantages of preschool education, particularly in the immediate term. Research employing cognitive assessments to evaluate kindergarten readiness indicates that preschool attendance markedly enhances preparedness for kindergarten (Taylor et al., 2000; Gormley et al., 2005). Furthermore, children who experience the most substantial gains from preschool are those from low socioeconomic backgrounds, non-native English speakers, and those who initially scored lowest on cognitive assessments at the start of preschool (Lipsey et al., 2018; Cascio, 2023). In general, states with universal preschool programs have higher math and reading scores on standardized assessments (Cascio, 2023). Given that only 30% of Hawaii’s public school kindergarteners demonstrate readiness in math and literacy, increasing preschool access could significantly improve this statistic.
Beyond the immediate benefits associated with preschool, the National Education Association highlights broader, long-term impacts. Children who participate in early childhood education programs are less likely to repeat grades or be designated as needing special education services. They also have higher high school graduation rates and higher earnings. A study by Schweinhart (2013) tracked a cohort of children living in poverty from birth into adulthood. This experiment, which involved random assignments to high-quality preschool programs, found that preschool participants not only achieved higher academically but also exhibited lower rates of adult crime and incarceration, along with reduced antisocial behavior during childhood. Overall, Schweinhart reported that the preschool program’s return on investment was more than sevenfold the operating costs of the program.
Recent research from economists Randall Akee and Leah Clark estimates the long-run return to a highly desirable preschool program with children from families across a wide range of income levels applying. This oversubscribed program utilizes a lottery system to randomly select program applicants to admit into their preschool. Akee and Clark’s findings reveal that individuals who attended this preschool program earn 5 to 6% more on average in adulthood compared to those who were not admitted. Moreover, their research highlights an even larger increase among those from lower-income families: preschool attendees whose parents earn below median earnings exhibit a 14% increase in earnings compared to similar individuals who were not selected for the program.
Given that those from high income families are more likely to afford private preschools, it is reasonable to assume that the 8,092 underserved children predominantly come from low and middle income backgrounds. Opportunity Insights estimates that an individual who grew up in a low-income household in Hawaii would earn roughly $30,000 to $34,000 (in 2023 dollars) at age 35, depending on their county of residence. This implies an average of $33,000 at the state level. Similarly, those who grew up in a middle income household would earn $40,000 on average at age 35.
Using findings from Akee and Clark (2023) and data from Opportunity Insights, a child living in a low-income household who gains access to preschool is projected to earn an additional $4,700 (in 2023 dollars) at age 35 as a result of attending preschool. Similarly, a child from a middle-income household would see an income increase of $2,400 (in 2023 dollars). Aggregating these increases in income, each cohort of previously underserved children who gain access to a preschool education is projected to contribute an additional $19 to $38 million (in 2023 dollars) to the state’s total personal income at age 35.
The change in individual income for adults who grew up in low, middle and high income families in Hawaii at age 35 as a result of preschool enrollment
Expanding access to preschool increases income in adulthood for those who grew up in low and middle income households
With a wealth of positive outcomes associated with early childhood education, the state’s commitment to expanding preschool access to all 3- and 4-year olds carries immense significance for Hawaii’s future. Numerous studies have documented not only immediate benefits, such as enhanced kindergarten readiness, but also long-term advantages, including higher adult earnings. These positive outcomes are particularly significant for children from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds. If the state is able to achieve universal access and ensure children receive quality early childhood education, it will enhance the lives of children who might otherwise lack a preschool education and contribute to Hawaii’s long-term enrichment.
References
Akee, R., & Clark, L. R. (2023). Universal Preschool Lottery Admissions and Its Effects on Long-Run Earnings and Outcomes (No. 23-09).
Algan, Y., Beasley, E., Côté, S., Park, J., Tremblay, R. E., & Vitaro, F. (2022). The impact of childhood social skills and self-control training on economic and noneconomic outcomes: Evidence from a randomized experiment using administrative data. American Economic Review, 112(8), 2553-2579.
Cascio, E. U. (2023). Does Universal Preschool Hit the Target?: Program Access and Preschool Impacts. Journal of Human Resources, 58(1), 1-42.
Gormley Jr, W. T., Gayer, T., Phillips, D., & Dawson, B. (2005). The effects of universal pre-K on cognitive development. Developmental psychology, 41(6), 872.
Lipsey, M. W., Farran, D. C., & Durkin, K. (2018). Effects of the Tennessee Prekindergarten Program on children’s achievement and behavior through third grade. Early Childhood Research Quarterly, 45, 155-176.
Schweinhart, L. J. (2013). Long-term follow-up of a preschool experiment. Journal of Experimental Criminology, 9, 389-409.
Taylor, K. K., Gibbs, A. S., & Slate, J. R. (2000). Preschool attendance and kindergarten readiness. Early Childhood Education Journal, 27, 191-195.
