Dive Brief:

• Seven out of 10 Americans say they would support the use of federal dollars to expand pre-K programs nationally, according to a recent Gallup poll.  
• Democrats (87%) were more likely than their Republican counterparts (53%) to support an uptick in pre-K spending.
• Currently, it is up to states and cities to implement universal pre-K programs, but President Obama has encouraged their adoption.  

Dive Insight:

While many Americans do believe pre-K expansion with federal dollars should happen, the same poll also revealed that a high number of Americans view pre-K and college as less important that elementary, middle, and high school in terms of the ability to to succeed in the long run.  

This may change, however, as more research comes out on the benefits of early education, especially in closing achievement gaps with students from at-risk homes.