Why Parents Are Skipping Michigan’s Free Preschool Program with Susannah Barnes Petitt

Michigan expanded its state-funded pre-K program by 20,000 seats—but only 6,000 children enrolled. Why are parents opting out of free preschool programs like Head Start and the Great Start Readiness Program? In this episode, Chris Spangle talks with Susanna Barnes Pettit, a social mobility fellow with Young Voices, about parental choice, preschool funding, and why families still prefer community-based options like parochial or nature-based schools. Chris and Susanna also explore how universal pre-K fits into broader education debates, discuss their own childhood experiences, and reflect on what parents truly want in early childhood education.Petitt: Michigan’s Pre-K promise can do more to reach families - https://www.detroitnews.com/story/opinion/2025/02/23/petitt-michigans-pre-k-promise-can-do-more-to-reach-families/79433009007/ This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.chrisspangle.com/subscribe