Biden’s universal preschool plan a ‘game-changer’ for Mass. - Boston Globe
By Naomi Martin
President Biden’s proposal for free, high-quality preschool for all 3- and 4-year-olds would create powerful change in Massachusetts, one of the nation’s most expensive child care markets, educators and parents said.
In a state where, despite its relative wealth and strong public school system, nearly half of children don’t attend preschool, mostly because they can’t afford it, universal preschool could help reduce the educational inequities that start long before kindergarten, they said.
“I honestly think it’s a game-changer,” said Amy O’Leary, director of Strategies for Children, an advocacy group. “The research tells us that for families who need more support, we see better outcomes in the short and long-term.”
In an address to Congress last week, Biden said his $1.8 trillion American Families Plan would add four years of free public education — two years of preschool and two years of community college — to the 12 years guaranteed to all children.
“Twelve years is no longer enough today to compete in the 21st century,” Biden said.
If passed, the package, which sets aside $200 billion for universal preschool and $225 billion to make care for children under 3 more affordable, would represent the largest-ever American investment in child care and early education, experts said.