RACE TO THE BOTTOM: THE UNITED STATES’ EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION ISSUE

       Since the 1990’s there has been a large push for universal early childhood education in the United States, as other countries have started to create their own programs. Administrators and policymakers in power have realized the impact of early childhood education on the lives of children.  This paper presents a historical comparative analysis on Head Start and the push for universal preschool in the states and abroad.  I do this by looking at the origins and impact of Head Start in the United States.  I move on to look at the emergence of Universal Preschool in three countries and three states.  I argue that while Head Start was an important part of early childhood education history, the United States should move away from it and move towards Universal Preschool.  Head Start has not made the impact that it was supposed to, and it doesn’t reach every child that needs it.  Universal Preschool reaches all children, regardless of background, and has made positive impacts in the states and countries that have adopted it.