Students in Top Early Ed Program More Likely to Graduate, Less Likely to Land in Jail

Posted on 06/10/2011 @ 02:34 PM

A recent report confirms what most early childhood education advocates and parents already know: children who attended a high-quality early education program were more likely to graduate high school and less likely to end up in jail twenty five years later.

An article in Birth to Thrive Online suggests that, "perhaps the most interesting aspect of this research is that students who spent four to six years at the Child-Parent Center – a time roughly equivalent to PreK-3rd – had even better results."

The article also discusses the achievement gap between poor and wealthier children, and how studies indicate that half of the gap that exists at age ten is already there by age five. Preschool programs, however, are one of the most cost effective social programs, and increased investment during a child's early years could help to reduce the gap.

Parents: Read more about the report, and let us know what you think about how important its findings are for your child's future.