by: Timothy Bartik
An economist, Timothy Bartik feels his “TED" TALK is not so much an economic discussion, but a moral one. He has spent most of his career researching Early Childhood Programs with the argument that high quality preschool and early childhood programs - with investments from state governments - can create more and better jobs. Increased public investing in superior school programs helps develop the higher adult skills of local workforces and higher-quality local workforces will be a key driver of creating jobs and creating higher earnings per capita within each state and local community. Even when other people's children get more skills, it eventually increases the prosperity of everyone by promoting higher per capital earnings for area residents and their communities. More workers with better skills pays off in higher wages and job growth. Bartik believes the research evidence and logic of the importance of high quality early education is economically compelling.
