THE mayor of New York, Bill de Blasio, has promised that there will be free pre-schooling available to all the city’s infants this year. It is one example of a wider American political enthusiasm for dealing with gaps in educational attainment by focusing on the youngest. International comparisons show that such measures have a long way to go—and that they are far from a cure all.
Briefing | The world’s nurseries
Getting ‘em young
Early education matters, but it is not everything
This article appeared in the Briefing section of the print edition under the headline "Getting ‘em young"
Briefing January 24th 2015
More from Briefing
America’s $61bn aid package buys Ukraine time
It must use it wisely
America is uniquely ill-suited to handle a falling population
Which is a worry, because much of it is already shrinking
Homeowners face a $25trn bill from climate change
Property, the world’s biggest asset class, is also its most vulnerable