Document Type

Book Chapter

Publication Date

2019

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108631662.007

Abstract

Antipoverty efforts must begin early because abundant evidence demonstrates that experiences during the first five years of life lay a foundation for future learning and the acquisition of skills. Public investments can help foster early childhood development, but these efforts must begin early and must involve both parents and children. This chapter describes the patterns of convergence and divergence in state approaches to supporting early childhood development. For the prenatal period until age three, the federal government is the primary source of funds, and there is fairly limited variation in how this money is spent across the states. For the period from age three until entrance to kindergarten, the federal government and states largely share the cost of supporting early childhood development, leading to significant differences among the states, particularly in access to preschool for three- and four-year-olds. This chapter explores these funding differences, emphasizing the political economy of state choices and noting that, perhaps surprisingly, some conservative-leaning states, not known for generous social welfare spending, are making a substantial effort to invest in early childhood education, especially for four-year-olds. The chapter closes with insights for both advocates and scholars.

Disciplines

Family Law | Law | Political Economy

Comments

This material has been published in "Holes in the Safety: Net Federalism and Poverty", edited by Ezra Rosser. This version is free to view and download for private research and study only. Not for re-distribution or re-use.

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