A set of recent public opinion polls has shown remarkable support for early childhood education. Clearly public opinion has shifted to an understanding of the importance of early learning and toward support for more investment.

Ready Nation, a business partnership for early childhood and economic success, has released information on four national polls in 2013 that find widespread support for early education: http://www.readynation.org/uploads/20130916_FourPollSummary.pdf The Ready Nation link provides more information on the polls, and links to more information. The most recent polls show strong support for early childhood education across political sectors. Here is a summary of the four national polls.
• 75% for preschool: A PDK/Gallup Poll showed that about 75% of respondents think preschool programs for children from low-income and poverty-level households would help students perform better in school.
• 60% for public funding for preschool: An Education Next survey found that the majority, 60% of American support public funding for preschool for low-income and moderate-income children.
• 80% believe preschool improves school performance: An Associated Press –NORC poll found that 80% of parents believe that preschool improves student performance in later years. Breakouts by political affiliation: 75% Republicans, 76% Independents, and 86% Democrats.
• 70% support early childhood education: A poll by Public Opinion Strategies and Hart Research found that early childhood education is a top national priority a wide range of voters, second only to increasing jobs and economic growth. The poll on early childhood education showed that 70% of American voters support a federal plan to help states and local communities provide better early childhood education. Breakout by political affiliation: 60% Republicans, 64% Independents, and 84% Democrats. Here is a link to these poll results:

These results are similar to an October 2011 Wisconsin poll by a conservative think tank, the Wisconsin Policy Research Institute, that found that 60% of Wisconsinites surveyed agree that early childhood education is an investment in Wisconsin’s economic future, even when state budget dollars are scarce.

Dave Edie