In a recent op-ed in the Washington Post, United States Secretary of Education Arne Duncan discussed a government proposal intended to make high-quality early education available to all four-year-old children, regardless of economic or social status.

Duncan cites evidence that early childhood education has significant positive effects on high school graduation rates, employment, and rates of criminal behavior.

For additional perspectives on the issue, see our post about President Obama’s State of the Union address, in which he discussed the proposal.