Timothy Bartik: The economic case for preschool

The video discusses the importance of investing in early childhood education as a public investment, emphasizing its benefits for state economies. It highlights how such programs can create jobs, boost earnings, and enhance workforce skills. The speaker presents research showing significant economic returns and addresses common objections, such as concerns about mobility and tax burdens. The video concludes by discussing barriers to investment, such as costs and the long-term nature of benefits, and poses a moral question about society's willingness to invest in the future.

What is the primary focus of early childhood education as a public investment according to the speaker?

• Reducing childcare costs

• Increasing federal funding

• Improving K-12 test scores

• Enhancing state economies

How do early childhood programs contribute to economic development?

• By increasing federal grants

• By creating more and better jobs

• By reducing property taxes

• By offering free childcare

What is the estimated return on investment for every dollar spent on early childhood programs?

• One-to-one

• Four-to-one

• Two-to-one

• Three-to-one

Which of the following is a common objection to investing in early childhood education?

• Lack of skilled teachers

• High cost of implementation

• Insufficient federal support

• Increased taxes for others' children

What percentage of Americans spend most of their working careers in the state they were born in?

• Over 60%

• Over 50%

• Over 70%

• Over 40%

What is the estimated annual national cost for universal preschool at age four?

• 10 billion dollars

• 20 billion dollars

• 40 billion dollars

• 30 billion dollars

What is the moral question posed by the speaker regarding early childhood education investment?

• Are we willing to invest in the short term?

• Are we willing to sacrifice now for future benefits?

• Are we willing to increase federal funding?

• Are we willing to reduce taxes for education?

What is the potential increase in earnings for low-income children from preschool investment?

• 15%

• 10%

• 5%

• 20%

What is the main barrier to implementing early childhood programs according to the speaker?

• Lack of skilled teachers

• Long-term nature of benefits

• Insufficient federal support

• High short-term costs

What is the speaker's view on the evidence supporting early childhood programs?

• It is outdated and irrelevant

• It is strong and compelling

• It is weak and inconclusive

• It is limited and insufficient