Special Report

Today’s young adults are very likely to be the first generation to not surpass the living standards of their parents. Our nation’s future demands that we take seriously the economic plight of America’s young.

States have boldly advanced the cause of preschool in the last few years. Now, let’s use growing support for pre-K to mobilize a national investment in early childhood.

Pennsylvania and Illinois have made early childhood education a priority. Can other states — and Washington — learn from their example?

Progressives now have a chance to push a political agenda favoring investment in
children. What can the second wave of children’s politics learn from the first?

Decent early childhood education requires well-trained and compensated educators.

Improvement can’t stop at kindergarten. Top-notch “early education” must extend to 3rd grade — and beyond.

Social outlay for early childhood education is the best investment we can make in America’s future.

The Bell Curve revisited: What science teaches us about heredity and environment.

Poor health at birth is one key channel through which economic status is passed from parent to child. Smart policies can lift kids beyond the poverty of parents.

Often, the most effective efforts to intervene in the lives of disadvantaged children start early — or even before they are born.