.....For instance, recent research on Head Start has been somewhat mixed. The Head Start Impact Study produced some discouraging findings, with the academic bonuses for students “fading out” over time, but subsequent analyses have been more positive. As a Brookings summary of the state of the research put it, “Natural experiments of the effects of Head Start show that Head Start causes better health, educational, and economic outcomes over the long term as a consequence of participation, though the effect sizes are smaller than those from the model programs.” 

But there is little research debate about early education program’s benefits for dual language learners. Indeed, even though a 2018 study of Tennessee’s state pre-K program found some discouraging overall outcomes for students, it still found that “non-native English speakers” showed stronger gains than other groups.

Why? It’s simple: dual language learners appear to uniquely benefit from early education programs because these programs give them an early start on English acquisition and sometimes provide them with opportunities to keep growing in their native languages.

First, it appears that the earlier that these early ed students begin the process of learning English, the better they do in the long run. Pre-K programs that offer some instruction in English can help these kids get a jump on the expected five- to seven-year window that it takes for most students to reach proficiency in English — and during an age span when their brains are more neurologically flexible. Indeed, an MDRC study of the federal Head Start program found strong academic benefits for dual language learners, which appeared to be linked to early English exposure. 

Second, their native languages are powerful assets for these children in the long run. Early education programs are much more likely than K–12 schools to be staffed by bilingual teachers, which makes it easier for them to continue to develop their first languages and English simultaneously. Studies generally find that children who develop strong speaking and/or reading abilities in their native languages do better at learning English over time.....

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