EarlyStories often takes the position that journalists should be out visiting pre-schools and Head Start programs to tell the public what is happening. It would also be nice if journalists could find the time to attend the many debates and press conferences on the issues they care about, but unfortunately, as news organizations scale back on staff and coverage, that is not always possible. That's why it's terrific when audio or video are available later on, as they are of a debate hosted last week by the Thomas B. Fordham foundation and live-blogged by Michael Petrilli.

The video discussed the pros and cons of universal preschool, spurred by the new book written by Chester E. Finn Jr, entitled "Reroute the Preschool Juggernaut."

So if you couldn't attend the event, you can watch it here and get a good sense of some lively and differing viewpoints. The debate was moderated by Richard Lee Colvin, director of the Hechinger Institute on Education and the Media.