**Media Advisory for Tuesday August 24** Law Enforcement Leaders Say Quality Early Learning Programs Reduce Violent Crime, Save Millions in Special Education Costs

KNOXVILLE, Tenn.–Knox County Attorney General Randy Nichols and Knoxville Police Chief Sterling Owen will hold a news conference on Tuesday August 24 to release a new 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 will call on the state’s Congressional delegation, including Sen. Lamar Alexander, 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 will express support for federal incentives to states to increase access to high-quality pre-kindergarten as part of the new federal legislation. Senator Alexander is a member of the education committee that is drafting the legislation.

WHO:
Knox County Attorney General Randy Nichols
Chief of Police Stanley Owen, Knoxville Police Department
Mark Rogers, Tennessee Director of Fight Crime: Invest in Kids

WHAT:
News Conference

WHEN:
Tuesday August 24, 2010 at 10 am.

WHERE:
Small Assembling Room, Knoxville City County Building, 400 Main Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37901

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