Top New Mexico Law Enforcement Brass Say Investment in Quality Early Learning Will Cut Crime
Aug 27th 2010
SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO—(August 26, 2010) New Mexico State Police Chief Faron Segotta and Santa Fe Police Chief Aric Wheeler 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 will document 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.
The law enforcement leaders called on the state’s Congressional delegation, including Sen. Jeff Bingaman, to press for a shift from a K-through-12 education model to a pre-k through-12 approach, as Congress considers reauthorizing the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, called the No Child Left Behind Act in its last renewal. Citing the many benefits of pre-k programs, the law enforcement leaders expressed strong support for federal incentives to states to increase access to high-quality pre-kindergarten as part of the new federal legislation. Senator Bingaman is a member of the education committee that is drafting the legislation.
“Senator Bingaman has a unique opportunity to make a difference for millions of young children nationwide,” said New Mexico State Police Chief Faron Segotta . “We commend Senator Bingaman 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, noting reports that New Mexico PreK participants have scored higher on early math and literacy skills than children who have not participated.
The report concludes that investments in voluntary high-quality pre-kindergarten programs in New Mexico can:
- Save up to $40 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 $40 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.
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. Santa Fe Police Chief Aric Wheeler 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 Chief Wheeler. “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 ten percent.”
While the report noted that New Mexico had taken steps to improve and expand pre-k, only 14 percent of all New Mexico three-year olds and 38 percent of all four-year-olds are served by publicly funded early education programs including pre-k.
New Mexico spends nearly $400 million a year on special education services, but invests only about $17 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 an estimated $180 million to provide high-quality full-day pre-kindergarten for all the families of four-year-olds seeking to enter voluntary pre-k, the state could save as much as $40 million in special education costs and an additional $40 million in savings from reductions in grade retention and kids learning more effectively. As a result, the total K-12 education savings could reach as much as $80 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 Wheeler. “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.”
New Mexico State Police Chief Faron Segotta and Santa Fe Police Chief Aric Wheeler are members of FIGHT CRIME: INVEST IN KIDS, a national anti-crime organization of police chiefs, sheriffs, prosecutors, attorneys general and violence survivors, with 54 members in New Mexico and over 5,000 members nationwide.
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