Early-Education Advocates Face Tougher Sell

Economic benefits still remote and intangible, business skeptics warn.

Telluride, Colo.

Supporters of programs in early-childhood development viewed a conference held in this resort town last week as a focused—even groundbreaking—opportunity to refine and strengthen their message that such efforts are a valuable economic investment for the states.

They learned, though, that they face big challenges in persuading more business leaders to buy into the cause of expanding preschool and other services, particularly for children considered at high risk for later academic or social problems.

“I can tell you this is not the top topic in any business meeting,” said Phyllis Eisen, a senior vice president of the Manufacturing Institute of the Washington-based National Association of Manufacturers. “Their stockholders aren’t saying, ‘Are you worried about early-childhood education? Do you...