California voters in 1998 created the First 5 program by
approving a 50-cent-a-pack tax on cigarettes and raising taxes on
all other tobacco products to pay for programs for children up to
age 5. The program, also championed by Reiner, has raised more than
$3 billion, but questions have been raised on how the money is
The California study predicted that universal preschool would
lead to 13,764 fewer children retained a grade during their K-12
years; 10,010 additional high school graduates; 4,737 fewer cases
of child abuse or neglect and 7,329 fewer juvenile arrests.
The study was based on the creation of a publicly financed,
voluntary preschool program for all 4-year-olds that would feature
small classes, qualified teachers and the use of old or new
facilities run by public or private providers.
Only two states, Georgia and Oklahoma, currently have voluntary
preschool programs available to all 4-year-olds. New York, West
Virginia and Florida have committed to universal preschool
programs, but they have yet to be fully funded or implemented.
In California, about 65 percent of 4-year-olds already are in
preschool, but enrollment rates and the quality of instruction vary
across socioeconomic groups.
The Rand study reported that enrollment rates nationwide are
lowest for Latino children and for children from poor families.
Only 38 percent of 3- to 5-year-olds whose mothers who have less
than a high school education enroll in early childhood programs,
compared to 70 percent for those whose mothers have at least a