Tennesseans largely support expanding early education

Tennesseans overwhelmingly support early education and have strong favorable opinions of lawmakers who support it, according to a new poll released Wednesday.

“The poll shows that Tennesseans are interested and care deeply about early education,” said Mike Carpenter, Tennesseans for Quality Early Education executive director, whose organization commissioned the poll. “We would ask that the gubernatorial candidates take notice.”

The organization advocates for statewide education policies from birth to third grade. The poll, performed by Public Opinion Strategies, asked 800 likely Tennessee voters their thoughts on a number of early education topics and has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.46 percent.

“We understand that the candidates have a lot of issues to discuss, but we hope there is more conversation about this particular topic,” Carpenter said.

TENNESSEANS SEE EARLY EDUCATION AS A BUILDING BLOCK

Overall, 55 percent of those polled said education in Tennessee is on the wrong track, compared to 35 percent who think the state on the right track.

The poll showed 66 percent said the state isn’t doing enough to prepare students for the future.

The vast majority said early education is a necessary building block for young students: 94 percent want Tennessee’s voluntary pre-kindergarten program expanded as an option for all 4-year-olds; 85 percent support more funding for pre-K programs; and 93 percent support increased funding for programs to help all Tennessee children become proficient in math and reading by third grade.

OPINIONS ON EARLY EDUCATION BRIDGE THE POLITICAL DIVIDE

Nearly identical opinions about early education were shared by those polled across the three regions of the state regardless of political party affiliation.

“That show of support from both parties and all regions and cities is a good sign that hopefully in years to come we as a state will be able to expand [early education initiatives],” Carpenter said.

Carpenter said the state has taken steps in recent years to fund early education programs, including the passage of a 2016 law focused on improving the overall quality of voluntary pre-K programs.

“It’s a little early to analyze the results, but we are on the right track,” he said.

TQEE WANTS INVESTMENTS IN EARLY EDUCATION PROGRAMS

Carpenter said his organization would like to see the next governor put more funding in policies and programs that have worked in the past several years, such as Read to be Ready, which focuses on improving third-grade literacy rates by 2025.

He said the state also should begin to consider improving overall math scores.

Carpenter said TQEE also is advocating for evidence-based home visiting programs, which help strengthen parenting skills, reduce abuse and neglect, and ready children for their school years.

The poll asked Tennesseans the overall favorability of the home visiting programs, noting that “the programs are cost-effective and could generate a return of up to $5.70 for every $1 invested.”

Overall, 68 percent were in favor of the programs, 25 percent against and 8 percent were unsure.

Contact Jason Gonzales at jagonzales@tennessean.com and on Twitter @ByJasonGonzales.