Research That Benefits Children and Families

For this week’s blog post we are to share a positive example of the effects of research on children and/or families, the piece of research I chose to share about is the research done on the Perry Preschool Project.

This piece of research was conducted over 40 years. Participants were identified between 1962-1967 when they were 3-4 years old some of the research participants received a high scope preschool, participatory learning approach and the comparison group received no preschool. The research showed that of the adults still living (97%) the 40 year old that received the high scope preschool education had higher earnings, were more likely to hold a job, committed fewer crimes and were more likely to graduate from High School.

The cost of this research was right around $15,000 the return on investment through public benefit was over $195,000. What a return on investment!! These children, now adults are more likely to be functioning and contributing members of our society.

The men from the group that received preschool are raising their own children and have a lower divorce rate than the men from the group that did not receive preschool. Fewer of the participants that received preschool through High Scope have been incarcerated and they are earning more money to support their families.

The impact this research has had for children and their families is reflected in the research itself. It has illustrated the importance of early childhood education that is child-initiated and how our public schools should move away from education that is narrowly focused and requires externally imposed curriculum. This research can be used to advocate for ECE programs that are high quality by being presented to policy makers and economists who have the power to implement funding to support Universal Preschool.  

References:

Schweinhart, L. J., Montie, J., Xiang, Z., Barnett, W. S., Belfield, C. R., & Nores, M. (2005). Lifetime effects: The HighScope Perry Preschool study through age 40. (Monographs of the HighScope Educational Research Foundation, 14). Ypsilanti, MI: HighScope Press.

Barnett, W. S. (1996). Lives in the balance: Age-27 benefit-cost analysis of the HighScope Perry Preschool Program (Monographs of the HighScope Educational Research Foundation, 11). Ypsilanti, MI: HighScope Press.

Schweinhart, L. J., Barnes, H. V., & Weikart, D. P. (1993). Significant benefits: The HighScope Perry Preschool study through age 27 (Monographs of the HighScope Educational Research Foundation, 10). Ypsilanti: HighScope Press.