With current early childhood education resource levels, too many kindergarteners will continue to begin school ill-prepared, language skills and achievement scores in math and reading will likely remain at mediocre levels, costs for interventions during the K-12 years and after will continue to rise, high school graduation rates and postsecondary degree completion rates will likely remain unchanged, and businesses will lack the necessary workforce to fill the jobs of the future."
U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, Ready, Set, Go! Why Business Should Support Early Childhood Education
Vulnerable Children Are
25%
More Likely to Drop Out of School
40%
More Likely to Become a Teen Parent
50%
More Likely to be Placed in Special Education
60%
More Likely to Never Attend College
70%
More Likely to be Arrested for a Violent Crime
Source: Ounce of Prevention
Lasting Effects of High-Quality Early Childhood
Education Through High School
Source: American Educational Research Association
Business Ramifications
Lack of access to quality and affordable childcare is a significant barrier that limits the supply of talent.
$1.2 billion in revenue lost annually due to employee absenteeism as the result of childcare breakdowns.
Turnover as a result of lack of childcare costs businesses 20% of an hourly employee’s salary and up to 150% of a manager’s salary.
Source: U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation