(RALEIGH) -- A new study suggests North Carolina taxpayers are getting a good return on investments into early education programs. Researchers at Duke University found that third-graders had higher reading and math scores in counties that received more funding for Smart Start and More at Four.

Duke’s Center for Child and Family Policy director Kenneth Dodge said both initiatives improve academic achievement and reduce placement in special education classes.  "Each yield positive impact on those third-grade test scores, about the equivalent of several months of extra schooling," said Dodge.

Critics of the programs say the state cannot afford to provide high-quality educational services given the current budget gap. State budget writers are considering several proposals to close a projected $2.6 billion shortfall, including one that would eliminate More at Four entirely. Dodge said that is a bad idea.