Payoffs of Good KindergartensDoing well in kindergarten can give kids an edge in income as adults, according to new research funded by the (U.S.) National Science Foundation.
As children learn more in their earliest education experience—indicated by moving from average scores on the Stanford Achievement Test up to the 60th percentile or better—their earnings at age 27 are $1,000 more than their counterparts whose scores remain average. And those who benefited from smaller class sizes and more-experienced teachers earned $2,000 more.
Other advantages that a good kindergarten experience bestows include improved likelihood of attending college and of beginning earlier to save for retirement.
Source: National Science Foundation, www.nsf.gov.