In a survey published by Scioto Analysis this morning, 22 of 26 Ohio economists agreed a universal pre-k program for Ohio would grow the state economy, reduce poverty and inequality, and improve graduation rates and enrollments.
Of the 24 economists who believed a universal pre-k program would grow the economy, many emphasized the importance of pre-k as a workforce development program. They focused on the importance of training students at young ages and emphasized the strong empirical evidence in support of this claim. Respondents were also interested in the quality controls that would be a part of such a program and whether the program would be mandatory. While no economists disagreed with the statements, two were uncertain, with one bringing up some recent evidence calling into question the empirical research in favor of universal pre-k.
Economists were nearly equally in agreement that a universal pre-k program would reduce poverty and inequality, with 22 economists in agreement with the statement. The empirical research was again a focus of the comments by economists, as was workforce development and the long-term sustainability of a universal program compared to a targeted program. While no economists disagreed with the statement, four were uncertain, with one who was certain about the impact of universal pre-k on the economy maintaining that universal pre-k on its own would not be sufficient to reduce levels of poverty and inequality.
Respondents were also bullish on a universal pre-k program’s ability to improve educational outcomes, with 23 economists saying it would improve graduation rates and college enrollment. Economists who agreed believed early investment was preferable to later investment and that the economic research supported this claim. No economists disagreed with the statement, though three were uncertain about the impact on educational outcomes without additional educational investments.
The Ohio Economic Experts Panel is a panel of over 40 Ohio Economists from over 30 Ohio higher educational institutions conducted by Scioto Analysis. The goal of the Ohio Economic Experts Panel is to promote better policy outcomes by providing policymakers, policy influencers, and the public with the informed opinions of Ohio’s leading economists.