[...] 'Universal preschool is now second only to universal health care on the liberal policy wish list. Democratic governors across the country -- including in Illinois, Arizona, Massachusetts and Virginia -- have made a major push to fund universal preschool in their states.
But is strapping a backpack on all 4-year-olds and sending them to preschool good for them? Not according to available evidence.' [...]
What's good for children is not necessarily good for the economy or the family or the state. Or the party. And vice versa. Is it good that universal preschooling is being discussed as part of the US presidential election? Yes. Is it good that those speaking in favour of universal preschool are wildly exaggerating the positive findings of some research and totally ignoring the ambivalent or even negative findings of other research? No. But can we look past the latter as a means to a good end? Hmm. Doesn't sit right with me.
