Beyond Counting Cigarettes: Evaluating Proposition 10 Investments in Early Childhood Problem Solving Skills

• In Event: Student engagement in PBL and PjBL learning

Abstract

This study evaluates the impact of California’s Proposition 10 funding on the development of problem-solving skills in young children. Grounded in a bioecological framework, we analyzed Ages and Stages Questionnaire-3 (ASQ-3) data from 1,189 children enrolled in 19 community-based programs across Kern County—one of California’s fastest-growing regions, comparable in size to New Jersey. The study addressed three key research aspects: the overall impact of Proposition 10 funding, age-specific program effectiveness, and gender-based differences in developmental outcomes. Findings revealed significant improvements in problem-solving skills, with pronounced gender differences but minimal variation across age groups. It underscores the value of outcome-based accountability models to provide compelling evidence for the effectiveness of targeted public funding in fostering early childhood development.

Author

• Jianjun Wang, California State University - Bakersfield