Quality Early Education Programs Correlated with Low Arrest Rates

Lisa Guernsey writes in her post entitled “Study Highlights the 25-Year Impact of a Chicago PreK-3rd Program” about the long-term effects discovered through a study done by Arthur Reynolds, child development professor at the University of Minnesota. Some preschoolers were enrolled in a program known as “extended intervention” the control group was cared for their parents or relatives and around 15% did attend head start. 

http://www.globaldailystar.com/at-what-age-should-you-send-kids-to-preschool/7598/preschool-kids/

The advantages of the “extended intervention” are reported to be widespread and have shown themselves even 25 years later. Those who completed the program:
• “Stayed in school longer
• Completed high school at higher rates
• Graduated from high school on-time at higher rates
• Had higher socio-economic status
• Had a job with higher prestige”

It is also reported that the experimental group had less involvement in the justice system and fewer arrests. 

I think that this study speaks volumes for ways to assist inner-city children. School systems located in large cities should take a look at these results and see if it is possible to adapt such programs for their own populace. 


(http://earlyed.newamerica.net/blogposts/2011/study_highlights_the_25_year_impact_of_a_chicago_prek_3rd_program-52909)