24-06-2025
Op-ed: I've been in education more than 50 years. Indiana must help parents afford pre-K
There's a misconception that preschool is only finger painting, play time or snacks. It doesn't help that Indiana treats pre-K as unnecessary, ranking among the bottom in the nation for enrollment.
As a longtime educator, I say it's time for our state to rethink its approach to early childhood education. Studies show the benefits of preschool follow students throughout their entire lives.
I witnessed the positives of pre-K during my 35 years in the classroom. My students with some form of early education had higher literacy scores and a better grasp of their letters. They had a deeper understanding of classroom expectations, sharing with their peers and participating in group work.
This followed my students into their teenage years – children who attended preschool are 11% more likely to graduate from high school. They're also more likely to attend college.
I believe many parents want the best for their children, but they simply can't afford it. The average cost of pre-K for one child is roughly $300 to $430 per week. Our lower-income families can apply for assistance.
However, Indiana is slashing the On My Way Pre-K program by 60% next school year. Only 2,500 of our young kids will have the opportunity to receive assistance for a robust early education. Those children who are enrolled will only receive $148 per week, which won't cover the entire cost. This will affect the availability of preschool for our less fortunate children, who are not responsible for their economic situation.
I remember when Indiana first started working to expand early education in 1986 with the First Steps program. I helped create First Steps because studies showed early intervention was extremely beneficial for toddlers with developmental delays. It took the state legislature about 30 years to reach the same conclusion on pre-K.
In 2014, Indiana launched OMWPK, but we haven't truly addressed the rising cost of early childhood education in the past decade. It's past time for Indiana to act on the ballooning cost of pre-K and child care.
As a seasoned legislator, I believe there's a simple solution: a pre-K tax credit. If Indiana won't invest in a statewide pre-K program, we should put the money back in families' pockets.
A credit would help cover the cost by providing $2,000 to $3,000 for families making less than $75,000 a year. Some states also give businesses a tax credit, encouraging them to help the parents they employ with the costs of pre-K or child care. Across the U.S., 26 states provide a tax credit to cover the costs of preschool or day care. It's time for Indiana to join this cohort.
All children deserve the same educational opportunities regardless of their families' wealth.
Sheila Klinker (D-Lafayette) is an Indiana state representative.
This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Op-ed: It's time for Indiana to help parents afford pre-K
