Michigan preschool funding has improved, but child care still unaffordable
As student performance in Michigan has plummeted, one strategy where many elected officials, educators, business leaders and state residents agree is bolstering future student success through early childhood programs.
We all have a soft spot for young children, particularly the most vulnerable among us, but decisions on how much taxpayer money to spend on preschool, quality child care and the like can be as fraught at budget time as you might imagine.
Here are the facts on the importance of early childhood programs and the cost of expanding opportunities for Michigan’s children.
Good news for young brains
Preschool is a proven strategy to improve school readiness. Kids receiving high-quality preschool are more likely to succeed in school, graduate from high school, earn higher incomes and commit fewer crimes. The stakes are intensified in Michigan by poor school performance. Michigan’s fourth-grade reading scores on the national assessment rank 41st in the nation. Michigan is one of only three states to suffer a decline in fourth-grade reading outcomes over the past 12 years – only West Virginia saw a larger drop.
Related education coverage from our 2018 Michigan Issue Guide
- Michigan's K-12 performance dropping at alarming rate
- Many Michigan K-12 reform ideas are jumbled, broad, or wildly expensive
- College funding cuts in Michigan have led to fewer students, greater debt
Michigan dramatically increased access to state-funded preschool through the Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP). The move followed a 2012 Bridge Magazine investigation which found that nearly 30,000 4-year-olds who qualified for free, high-quality preschool weren’t in the program because of inadequate funding and poor coordination of services. In response, Gov. Rick Snyder and the Michigan Legislature doubled annual GSRP funding and later added another $31 million for early literacy programs.
More Work to Do on Pre-K?
The GSRP expansion resulted in more than doubling the total classroom slots for four year olds. The percentage of state four year olds served by the program also has doubled since 2006. Still, 14 other states still rank higher than Michigan in preschool access. And Michigan’s 21st Century Education Commission last year recommended offering universal preschool statewide. That hasn’t happened, in part, because of the additional cost: $400 million more per year.
Child Care: A Tough Puzzle for Families and the Economy
Beyond preschool, where Michigan has made progress, lies child care, where Michigan faces serious problems for both families and the state economy.
The United Ways of Michigan estimates that child care eats up about a quarter of the household budget of economically vulnerable families in Michigan.
Michigan’s child care subsidy program is legendary for problems such as lack of access, lack of quality caregivers, and low reimbursement rates compared to other states. The Michigan program serves only about one in five low-income families.
Increasingly, Michigan business leaders are framing child care access as an issue of economic growth rather than human services. Many companies have faced labor shortages in recent years – especially for low-wage positions. Without viable child care options, potential job applicants don’t enter these labor pools.
But solutions are costly. Michigan families spend on average $824 a month for center-based infant care. At nearly $10,000 a year, this can rival the cost of housing or college tuition. Improving access and quality in Michigan’s subsidized child care program would cost hundreds of millions of dollars per year.
KEEP DIGGING: MORE INFORMATION ON EARLY CHILDHOOD
- Michigan Association of United Ways: The ALICE Project
- Public Sector Consultants and Citizens Research Council of Michigan: “Policy Options to Support Children from Birth to Age Three”
- Bridge Magazine: “How state’s new early education funding fill help boost student learning”
Explore the Facts & Issues Guide:
At A Glance
Slideshows…
Education & Talent
- K-12 Student Performance: Michigan's K-12 performance dropping at alarming rate
- School Reform: Many Michigan K-12 reform ideas are jumbled, broad, or wildly expensive
- Early Childhood: Michigan preschool funding has improved, but child care still unaffordable
- Higher Ed: College funding cuts in Michigan have led to fewer students, greater debt
Economy & Prosperity
- Economy: Michigan business climate improves, but educated workforce is shrinking
- Jobs & Labor: Demand for Michigan workers is very high, but many have given up looking
- Incomes: Michigan income growth hindered by lack of college graduates
- Business: Business incentives cost Michigan millions, and it’s uncertain they work
Quality of Life
- Public Health: Michigan's adverse health trends track along racal, poverty lines
- Health Care: Health care in rural Michigan communities suffering, despite Obamacare
- Safety Net: $1B of Michigan’s welfare money goes to college students who aren’t poor
- Water Issues: Michigan's Great Lakes are good, but water concerns include lead and Line 5
- Lands & Energy: Michigan battling 22 invasive forest species, high electric bills
- Michigan Tourism: Does state make $8.33 for every $1 spent on Pure Michigan campaign?
- Infrastructure: Michigan needs $4B more per year for infrastructure, but how to pay for it?
- Cities: In Michigan, more than 150 communities are financially distressed
- Rural Michigan: Limited Internet in rural Michigan depresses student, business opportunity
- Public Safety: Michigan pays 18% less per citizen than nat'l average for public safety
Government & Reform
- Michigan Taxes: Michigan gives more tax breaks than it collects for schools, government
- State Spending: Big government? Michigan's state, local workforce 2nd smallest in nation
- Ballot Issues: 2018 Michigan ballot initiatives may decide marijuana, gerrymandering
- Gov't Reform: Despite low trust of gov't, Michigan legislators have done little to change
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