Saginaw Law Enforcement Leaders Say Quality Early Learning Programs Reduce Violent Crime, Save Millions in Special Education Costs
Contact: Kathy Pelleran, kppelleran@fightcrime.org
Cell: 517-643-5981, Desk: 517-803-2463
SAGINAW, MI-(September 10, 2010) Local law enforcement leaders today released a research report showing that investing more in voluntary high-quality pre-kindergarten programs not only reduces crime over the long run but also saves millions of dollars in the state’s education budget in the short term. The report says that investments in pre-k programs can reduce the need for special education placements and other K-12 education expenses when pre-k children advance to later grades.
At a press conference Saginaw Chief of Police Gerald Cliff, Saginaw County Prosecutor Mike Thomas, and Thomas Township Chief of Police Steven Kocsis, called on the state’s Congressional delegation, including U.S. Rep. Dale Kildee (D-MI 9th CD), to press for a shift from a K-through-12 education model to a pre-k through-12 approach, including incentives for states to increase access to high-quality pre-kindergarten, as Congress considers reauthorizing the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, called the No Child Left Behind Act since its last renewal. Rep. Kildee is the chairman of the education subcommittee that is drafting the legislation.
“Rep. Kildee has a unique opportunity to make a difference for millions of young children nationwide,” said Dr. Gerald Cliff, Chief of Police, City of Saginaw. “We commend Rep. Kildee for recognizing the value of quality early learning programs and making them a top priority. The research is clear: These programs cut crime, save millions of dollars for taxpayers and enable more children to get the right start in life.”
The law enforcement leaders also called on state lawmakers to hold the line against cuts in state-funded pre-k programs. If Michigan were to make high-quality preschool available to all families who would want it, Michigan’s school systems could capture the full cost savings of $560 million a year from reduced special education costs, reduced grade repetition, and an improved learning environment.
The report concludes that investments in voluntary high-quality pre-kindergarten programs in Michigan can:
- Save up to $280 million in K-through-12 education costs by lowering the number of children requiring special education services due to behavioral problems and developmental delays;
- Save an additional $280 million in education costs by reducing the need for children to repeat grades and by helping kids learn more effectively;
- Reduce violent crime and save taxpayers millions of dollars more by reducing costs for corrections, welfare and other government-funded services.
“Our report shows that enrolling kids in high-quality pre-kindergarten programs helps them get a strong start to their schooling, reduces crime and saves taxpayers millions of dollars,” said Prosecutor Mike Thomas, Saginaw County. “As a prosecutor, I know first-hand that giving low-income, at-risk children a good early start in life can result in fewer of these children becoming involved in crime later in life – which is a huge benefit to every taxpayer in Michigan. We know that over the long term the savings can total as much as $16 for every $1 spent on quality pre-k.” (1 of 2)
Among several studies cited in the report is a long-term study of Michigan’s Perry Preschool that followed two groups of at-risk, low-income 3- and 4-year-olds, beginning in 1962. One group attended the Perry Preschool Program. The other did not. The study found that children who did not attend the high-quality program were five times more likely to be chronic offenders than children who did participate. By age 40, the kids who did not attend the program were twice as likely to be arrested for violent crimes than those who participated.
The Perry preschool program also helped significantly reduce the need for special education. Children who attended the Perry program were 43 percent less likely to be placed in special education during their K-12 years. Chief Cliff noted that quality pre-kindergarten programs help build core learning and social skills among at-risk children at an early age. The result: fewer children who participate in quality pre-k programs require special education in later years.
“Of course, we wholeheartedly support special education programs, and we understand that many children have special educational needs, such as a hearing impairment or a learning disability, that will not change as a result of high-quality pre-k,” said Prosecutor Thomas. “However, our report shows that for children with developmental delays or behavior problems, high-quality pre-k programs can make a meaningful difference in reducing the need for special education during the K-12 years and cutting special education costs by as much as 48 percent.”
While the report noted that Michigan had taken steps to improve and expand pre-k, only 14 percent of all Michigan three-year olds and 38 percent of all four-year-olds are served by publicly funded early education programs including pre-k.
Michigan spends $2.8 billion a year on special education services, but invests only about $96 million a year in state-funded pre-kindergarten programs, according to the report. The new analysis shows that if the state and federal government could dedicate $1 billion to provide high-quality full-day pre-kindergarten for all the families of four-year-olds seeking to enter pre-k, the state could save as much as $280 million in special education costs and an additional $280 million in savings from reductions in grade retention and kids learning more effectively. As a result, the total K-12 education savings could reach $560 million a year.
The law enforcement leaders also noted that increasing investments in high-quality pre-kindergarten can add up to a total return on investment of as much as $16 per dollar spent over the long-term. These savings largely come from reduced crime, corrections as well as the educational savings.
“Everything we do as law enforcement officials has to be in the best interests of public safety,” said Chief Kocsis. “Investing in high-quality early education not only will reduce crime, but it will also save taxpayer dollars and help make sure that more kids are ready to succeed in school.”
Chief Gerald Cliff, Prosecutor Mike Thomas, and Chief Steven Kocsis, are members of FIGHT CRIME: INVEST IN KIDS, a national anti-crime organization of police chiefs, sheriffs, prosecutors, attorneys general and violence survivors, with 453 members in Michigan and over 5,000 members nationwide.
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