Chasing equity in higher ed? Let’s go back to PreK

Colleges pay attention to applicants’ high school transcripts and experiences, yet most don’t give much thought to whether their incoming class attended preschool. New research suggests maybe they should. As the Tools team would be first to tell you, a few years of preschool can go a long way. Though even we might not have predicted that preschool attendance can play a role in whether students choose 2- or 4-year colleges. Of course, not just any preschool has the power to change college learning trajectories: it’s attending a high-quality preschool program that makes the difference. 

How do we know?

A study out of Georgetown University, where researchers have been evaluating the impact of Tulsa's universal PreK program, looked at college enrollment data for thousands of former Tulsa Kindergarten students, including both those who had attended one of Tulsa's two public preschool programs (Universal PreK or Tulsa Head Start) and those who hadn't. Tulsa’s public preschool program is recognized for its quality, with strict requirements for teachers (both a bachelor’s degree and early childhood certificate are mandatory) and low teacher-student ratios. Unlike some public preschool programs that serve only students with disabilities or those from low-income families, Tulsa’s program serves all interested students. These quality markers play a big role in the program’s success and outcomes.

Investment in early childhood education may be a key piece of the puzzle in advancing equity in higher education. At Tools, equity matters to us. We want all children to experience the improved outcomes and life experiences that a strong start in preschool can help to provide.

What did they find?

There is a strong relationship between high-quality preschool enrollment and later college enrollment, particularly for students of color. Preschool alums of all backgrounds had significantly higher 2- and 4-year college enrollment rates and public preschool attendance was a significant determinant of 4-year college enrollment for Black and Hispanic students in particular. 

Why is this important? Equity matters to us. 

Investment in early childhood education may be a key piece of the puzzle in advancing equity in higher education. At Tools, equity matters to us. We want all children to experience the improved outcomes and life experiences that a strong start in preschool can help to provide. It gives us pause knowing that nationally the gap is growing between white students who enroll in college and their Black and Hispanic peers. But we are encouraged by evidence that teachers and schools using Tools and other high-quality preschool programs are making strides in reversing this trend. Let’s celebrate increased access for Black and Hispanic students in higher education; we look forward to seeing more of it. Attending a high-quality preschool can truly influence future educational opportunities for our children.

Tools Takeaways

• Participation in high-quality preschool programs accelerates school readiness skills and can increase likelihood of future college attendance
• Strong relationships between preschool attendance and later college enrollment make good developmental sense: "Investments in young children's cognitive and behavioral skills set the stage for later academic success"
• Increasing enrollment in high-quality preschool can be a powerful equalizer in closing racial gaps in college enrollment

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For further reading on the link between preschool and civic engagement see Civic Engagement sparked in preschool