Three widely recognized longitudinal studies have been conducted over the past 40 years which conclude that a high quality, early educational experience for poor children creates lasting results in school success and life outcomes. The Chicago Child-Parent Center Study, The Abecedarian Project and the Perry Preschool Project each studied the success of low income children who attended quality, early learning programs and compared their life outcome results with children who did not attend quality programs. The results are stunning.
The Perry Preschool Project was conducted over the last 40 years studying low income children from the State of Michigan. After tracking the children over these decades, researchers found that compared to children without high quality preschool, the children who were provided the early learning experience were:
55% less likely to need special
education classes
31% more likely to graduate
from high school
72% less likely to be arrested
for a drug offense
20% more likely to be employed
Five times more likely to own a
home
Four times more likely to earn
over $2,000/month
26% less likely to need welfare
or social services
31% less likely to be a single
mother
Researchers agree that participation in quality, learning-enriched daycare and preschool significantly improves a child’s chances for success in school and later in life.
The Opportunity Project is currently initiating a longitudinal study of its students, studying the progress of TOP students as they advance through the public school system. TOP anticipates similar results as those of the other national studies.
55% less likely to need special
31% more likely to graduate
