Making Early Education a Priority: Evidence from the 2019 PACE/USC Rossier Voter Poll

Overview & Synopsis

Governor Gavin Newsom campaigned on a "cradle to career" education strategy that identified childcare and early education as key priorities. The Governor's 2019 Budget Proposal follows through with the inclusion of several initiatives aimed at increasing support for children five and younger. Despite strong evidence that high-quality early education programs can have a powerful impact on children's future success in school, college, and the workforce, California voters rank new investments in prenatal and early childhood services below other educational priorities, including improving the quality of K-12 education and making college affordable. Building public support for aggressive investment to expand access to and improve quality of early education programs is likely to require more active engagement on this issue by the Governor and his allies.