The Case Against Publicly Financed Universal 4K

Today's Wisconsin State Journal ran a front page article on the possibility of a public school 4K program starting up in Dane County. 76% of other Wisconsin school districts already have such programs in place. But are 4K programs worth the millions of dollars they cost each year? And even if so, is it fair to force public financing for them?

Take me for example. My youngest daughter will be four next year, and she will continue to attend her current preschool, which my wife and I pay for. Why should my neighbor be forced to pay for my child's preschooling, when I am perfectly willing and able to pay for it myself right now? Under a universal 4K program, financial responsibility for preschool would in most cases transfer from financially sound, willing and able parents, to taxpayers. That is just plain wrong.

California's recent "Preschool for All" initiative hoped to achieve a 70% enrollment rate. However, 66% of California's four year olds were already attending preschool. So in order to help get an additional 4% enrollment, the California taxpayer should pick up the tab for every four year old in the state?

But where the 4K argument really starts to lose traction is when you consider that there is no solid evidence suggesting that universal preschool programs lead to long-term improved educational outcomes for children. Sure, gains can be seen in Kindergarten. But preschool effects largely fade away by the fourth grade. Oklahoma students tested above the national average prior to implementation of it's unversal preschool program in 1998. Ten years later, Oklahoma's fourth graders are testing below the national average in reading and math.

To be sure, preschool can have positive effects for children - mainly in the area of socialization. However, socialization can be achieved in myriad ways, and in no way warrants taxpayer financing.

If you're still in doubt, and think universal 4K is the solution to our education ills, ask yourself this: When is the last time you heard someone say, "You know what would solve our education problems? One additional year of unionized public schooling." Given the track record of our public schools over the past forty years, it is completely reasonable to be skeptical that million dollar per year universal 4K programs in Wisconsin will lead to any measurable long-term educational gains for our children. And while preschool can have non-educational positive effects for children, is funding that the taxpayers' responsibility.... or the parents'?