Cost Benefit of Quality Pre-School Programs

As I was doing some research for work I came across this report by an economist. I haven't had time to read the entire report, but a brief summary states:
"Research is increasingly demonstrating that the policy of investing in early child-hood development, particularly high-quality prekindergarten, provides a wide array of significant benefits to children, families, and society as a whole. Empirical research shows that all children, regardless of whether they are from poor, middle-, or upper-income families, benefit from prekindergarten programs. In addition, higher quality prekindergarten programs provide greater benefits than lower quality prekindergarten programs."

And this: {"We can build on what we have," she said. "What's new about this study is that it is based on a sizeable, long-standing program funded and operating effectively in the real world."Lynch based his state-by-state analysis on a 40-year Chicago program helping low-income families with preschool and other services.} From an article in the Arizona Republic.

I'm sure there are some who will dismiss this research and analysis, but it is compelling to me, and some is just common sense -- is anyone really surprised that "higer quality prekindergarten programs provide greater benefits than lower quality prekindergarten programs"?