How Free Preschool Could Benefit Arizonans' Futures
Download mp3 (10.63 MB)President Joe Biden’s American Families Plan is a $1.8 trillion investment in social programs like paid family leave, education and child care. And that includes a plan to partner with states to provide preschool for all 3- and 4-year-olds for free.
The research is clear on this: Early childhood education sets up children for success in school and in life as they grow. But it comes with a hefty price tag, and the debate has barely begun on that front.
In the meantime, let’s take a look at what preschool looks like here in Arizona now.
According to the White House, only about 16% of the state’s nearly 180,000 3- and 4-year-olds attend publicly-funded preschool. It doesn’t stack up well against most other states, according to Kelley Murphy.
Murphy is the vice president of policy with the Children’s Action Alliance, and The Show spoke with her to learn more about preschool in Arizona.
