Program Effectiveness
Research Report
How Much Does Quality Preschool Cost?
Date
March 1, 2006
By W. Steven Barnett and Kenneth B. Robin
2006
Summary
There is abundant evidence demonstrating that states should fund quality preschool programs. However, there is less research available to suggest how much funding is necessary for programs to achieve their desired effects. This NIEER report presents current state spending on preschool, identifies some aspects of programs that are clearly related to cost, and offers estimates of the state commitment necessary to achieve various levels of access and quality.
The Authors
W. Steven (Steve) Barnett is a Board of Governors Professor and the founder and Senior Co-Director of the National Institute for Early Education Research (NIEER) at Rutgers University. Dr. Barnett’s work primarily focuses on public policies regarding early childhood education, child care, and child development.