Early childhood education programs such as Head Start provide cognitive benefits well beyond preschool. Recent studies that compare student test scores show that children who are exposed to structured learning activities outside the home environment are better able to adapt to formalized instruction in grades kindergarten through third grade than children who remain at home. This is particularly true among children from low-income families and children whose parents have a limited proficiency in English. Children living in states that do not provide early childhood programs, on the other hand, lag behind their peers. State and local governments must continue to bridge the achievement gap so that students may reach their full potential at an early age.