You've most likely heard about the program called “Head Start” that provides many kinds of aid for impoverished pre-school aged kids. It's the program that inspired the now-trite political phrase “...for the children!” In fact, Head Start provides quite a bit of aid to kids who aren't impoverished and who are older than pre-school age, but never mind that.
Head Start was first implemented 45 years ago (in 1965), and during the course of its history has consumed well over $100 billion dollars (over $8 billion last year). It's budget has risen every year by an amount well in excess of what you might expect from inflation and the population of impoverished kids. From that perspective, it looks like any other classic government entitlement program. Naturally and predictably, by any rational standard (including common sense), its bureaucracy is top-heavy with administrators.
Cato published a study last summer that looks at the actual effectiveness of Head Start. This is something that the program itself has carefully avoided – another hallmark of a government-run entitlement program. Cato's analysis is detailed and well worth reading. Unlike most such studies, this one is very easily summarized: Head Start is completely ineffective.
Hey, I guess that's just like most government programs, too!
I sure don't want these people running my health care...
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