Expanding preschool access to all 3- and 4-year olds in Hawaiʻi will lead not only to immediate benefits, such as enhanced kindergarten readiness, but also long-term advantages, including higher adult earnings. That’s according to a new University of Hawaiʻi Economic Research Organization (UHERO) analysis by Research Economist Rachel Inafuku.
“Children who participate in early childhood education programs are less likely to repeat grades or be designated as needing special education services,” Inafuku writes. “They also have higher high school graduation rates and higher earnings.”
Hawaiʻi’s current situation
The state has identified a significant gap in preschool enrollment among its youngest learners—of the 33,224 3- and 4-year olds, only 55% are currently enrolled in preschool programs. While about 20% of families with children in this age group choose to opt out of preschool, an estimated 8,092 children do not attend preschool due to systemic barriers. These barriers include the limited availability of slots in desirable programs and the high cost of private preschools. According to the UH Center on the Family, 86% of Hawaiʻi’s families lack access to preschools that are both affordable and in nearby, convenient locations.
In 2020, the state legislature enacted Act 46, a landmark initiative aimed at dramatically increasing preschool accessibility with the ambitious goal of universal access by 2032. As part of this effort, the state allocated $200 million in 2022 for the construction of new preschool facilities. Additionally, the state is expanding its Preschool Open Doors program, which subsidizes private preschool tuition costs. This expansion has led to a 90% increase in enrollment compared to 2023. However, Act 46 faces challenges, including a shortage of childcare workers.
Potential preschool benefits
Numerous studies highlight the advantages of a preschool education, particularly in the immediate term, one being that it enhances preparedness for kindergarten. Children who experience the most substantial gains from preschool are those from low socioeconomic backgrounds, non-native English speakers and those who initially scored lowest on cognitive assessments at the start of preschool. In general, states with universal preschool programs have higher math and reading scores on standardized assessments. Currently, only 30% of Hawaiʻi’s public school kindergarteners demonstrate readiness in math and literacy.
Beyond the immediate benefits associated with preschool, the National Education Association highlights broader, long-term impacts, including less likely to repeat grades and higher career earnings. A study by Schweinhart (2013) tracked a cohort of children living in poverty from birth into adulthood. This experiment found that preschool participants not only achieved higher academically but also exhibited lower rates of adult crime and incarceration, along with reduced antisocial behavior during childhood.
“If the state is able to achieve universal access and ensure children receive quality early childhood education, it will enhance the lives of children who might otherwise lack a preschool education and contribute to Hawaiʻi’s long-term enrichment,” Inafuku concludes.
Read the entire blog on UHERO’s website.
UHERO is housed in UH Mānoa’s College of Social Sciences.
