Universal Preschool

Good LAT editorial questioning Rob Reiner's push for universal preschool in CA. Key point:

We don't need this. Preschool is already more "universal" in California than you
might think. Somewhere within that patchwork are an estimated 70% of all the
4-year-olds in the state — about 63% in preschool centers, and a handful in
family child care. The universal-preschool crowd hopes to raise that to 80%. So
to get an additional 10% enrolled, taxes would pick up the bill for the other
70% as well. California's nonuniversal system already covers a bigger percentage
of its 4-year-old population than Georgia's universal pre-kindergarten system,
now in its 12th year.

And we'd now be covering the cost for the 70% as well - and at roughly $5,900 a year per child. Seems like there is a better investment to reach those in need - though I guess than we wouldn't get to create and fund another huge state program.