Education Vs. Inequality

The Dallas Morning News recently published an article called, “Rich kids are in Pre-K while poor ones are with grandma,” in which it highlights on the book of Ajay Chaudry, Taryn Morrissey, Christina Weiland and Hirokazu Yoshikawa called, “Cradle to Kindergarten: A New Plan to Combat Inequality.” The editorial focuses on the inequality of 3-4 year olds raised in opposite households; a rich family that is able to provide an early education such as Preschool, where as a poverty stricken family may not be able to provide the same service to their children.

Poor parents who cannot afford structured preschool or whose schedules do not coexist with school will often leave their kids with a relative or child care provider which can result in the child not receiving the necessary focused development. Only 55 percent of America’s 3-4 year olds attend preschool which is unacceptable compared to China who has 75 percent or Germany and Britain who have 90 percent of young children attending preschool. Research formed since the 1940’s has shown that children who don’t attend formal school until kindergarten start off a year behind in math and verbal skills. Lack of early development increases the probability of falling behind which can lead to dropping out of school and working low paying jobs.

“The earliest years are the most promising for brain and skill development, yet it is when the U.S. invests the least,” Yoshikawa, an education professor at NY University, told The Washington Post. The United States should take more interest in the early development of its citizens. They are after all, eventually going to be functioning within it and can either contribute or take away from the progress. The government should contribute millions more for early education programs making sure kids are enrolled by 3, providing more assistance for affordable child care, and assisting poor families as soon as a child is born, to promote a better future; not only for the child, but for the United States. A well-educated child promotes a successful economy and society. Providing an equal “quality” education and opportunity at a young age supplies the United States with a level playing field over the many countries already providing early child development to the vast majority.