Policy Report – The Benefits of Prekindergarten for Middle Income Children

This policy report analyzes what the research says about access to and gains made in high-quality preschool programs by children from middle-income families. Recommendations include expanding publicly funded preschool programs to include middle-income children and strengthening standards for child care and early education programs.

The Benefits of Prekindergarten for Middle Income Children

By Karen Schulman and W. Steven Barnett
NIEER Policy Report (March 2005)

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Summary

Many children from middle-income families enter kindergarten behind their peers, often because the supply of early care and education programs in middle-income neighborhoods is no greater than in low-income neighborhoods. Yet research shows that high-quality preschool programs provide gains for middle-income children, particularly in letter-word identification and spelling scores.

This policy report analyzes what the research says about access to and gains made in high-quality preschool programs by children from middle-income families.

Recommendations include expanding publicly funded preschool programs to include middle-income children and strengthening standards for child care and early education programs.

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