There is little question about the value of providing high-qualit y pre-kindergarten education for children. The
growing body of research is conclusive: High-qualit y pre-k provides dramatic lifelong benefits to children and
solid economic and social benefits to the communities in which they live.

However, these benefits accrue only to those children and families who are fortunate enough to have found
high-qualit y programs. Many low- and middle-income families miss out.

Education Minnesota’s Educator Policy Innovation Center has written a report suggesting high-qualit y
universal pre-k is a crucial first step in addressing the equit y gaps that plague Minnesota students. The six
advisers on this report found states that invest in high-qualit y pre-k programs see immediate benefits like fewer
students in need of special education services and educational remediation and higher graduation rates.

The long-term benefits include an increased income and tax base, lower crime rates, lower divorce rates and
reduced social services cost.