Report urges early education investment
A new report by America's Edge, a national education policy think tank with an office in Maine, argues that Maine's road to economic recovery should include investments in early education programs as a long-term strategy with some short-term benefits.
In the short-term, the Maine-specific study estimates that every dollar invested in high-quality education programs geared toward children younger than 4 generates $1.78 in spending elsewhere, a multiplier that the report puts above those from spending in transportation, construction and retail trade sectors.
The report also concludes that better early education reduces high school dropout rates that, in turn, could reduce unemployment rates. In 2012, the study found the unemployment rate was 15% for high school dropouts, while unemployment among college graduates stood at 3%.
Overall, the study argues that the return on investments in early education is much higher than spending for preschool, K-12 and job training education.
In February 2012, Mainebiz profiled numerous business leaders who touted early education investment as an economic development strategy for the state.
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