The Pre-K Divergence

Reading The Great Divergence by Timothy Noah has certainly put American economic inequality in perspective for me. Something that I once thought little about is now more real to me. One part of Noah's solution to "the great divergence" that I find particularly interesting is the implementation of preschool for all children. Children who attend preschool have a higher chance of earning a bachelor's degree; this has been proven, and it makes Noah's argument fairly appealing. As I looked further into this idea, I found this article, one which shows how current preschool attendance is somewhat of a vicious cycle for low income families. 

The article shows a couple graphs, which depict the difference in preschool attendance between children from low and high income families. It is very clear that children from high income families are much more likely to attend preschool. As was previously stated, children who attend preschool are more likely to earn a bachelor's degree, and it is the children from high income families that receive the advantage of this early education. These children, who grow up to earn degrees, have a better chance of landing a good job and, in turn, making more money; they will then be able to send their children to preschool, thereby continuing the cycle. 

Considering this cycle of education and the way it privileges higher income families gives Noah's argument for universal preschool more merit.