Thanks for the interesting posting about the Rand Corporation's recent study
about the cost effectiveness of early childhood intervention/education/effort.
Targeting the poorest, neediest children at the earliest stages produces
significant benefits for the children and the larger society...well, duh!
Many studies over the years have shown this very same result. I'm sorry it
has to yet be replicated instead of having those funds and efforts directed
toward more children who need caring, nurturing, stimulating environments in
those early years. One thing that is especially important when looking at
"the smalls" is the fact that virtually every parent really wants to do
right by their children. The trick is how to involve those parents, improve
their skills, improve their economic status and provide some moral support
for them.
An interesting synergistic connection between General Powell's "America's
Promise" and these results is the need and opportunity for other caring
adults to make a difference in a child's life...not necessarily your own
child but the kids down the street, the cousins, the daughter of your
co-worker, etc., etc.
I hope we can strengthen that net so that families of all socio-economic
backgrounds can feel safer, more secure and appreciate the great adventure
of rearing the next generation...by all of us.
Thanks, again, Tom, for your thoughtful efforts.
Linda Pall
At 05:25 PM 4/23/98 -0700, you wrote:
>Visionaries:
>
>There was a great deal of debate in the past legislative session concerning
>investment in education and the rising prison and juvenile costs. Legislation
>was introduced to fund Head Start. The bill was held in JFAC without action.
>
>The Rand Corporation just completed a nationwide study of early childhood
>programs. An article concerning this report appears in today's Spokesman
>Review on page one. This is the most comprehensive study to date of programs
>designed to improve the lives of poor young children. The study reviewed
>nine programs located across the U.S. The study reports that programs
>designed to improve the lives of poor young children has found that investments
>in the first five years of childhood yield substantial and lasting benefits
>not only to the children and their families but also to their communities.
>
>Rand found that most program improved the participating children's subsequent
>academic achievement and decreased the likelihood the children would grow up
>to lead lives of crime. For every dollar spent on the early childhood
programs,
>society later saved several dollars on welfare, special education, and criminal
>justice. Savings of from $20,000 - $25,000 per child were realized in
>several studies and the positive impact could be still measured after 27
>years of students enrolled in a program in Michigan.
>
>The average per pupil cost in Head Start runs about $5,000/year. The Rand
>study suggets that the early childhood intervention programs are most likely
>to yield savings when they target the neediest children. This is the criteron
>being utilized in the Idaho Head Start Program. The cost of delivering
>programs to children from lower middle income families and children with
>two parents at home outweighed the monetary benefits that accured.
>
>The Rand study suggests that well designed, targeted programs can have lasting
>impacts on the chidren they reach and the communities where they live. The
>most successful programs appeared to have three things in common They offered
>intensive services to children--and sometimes to their mothers as well--often
>over two or more years; they included a well developed curriculum that
>changed with a child's growing needs and abilities; and they drew on highly
>trained
>staffs that were closely supervised and monitored. The Idaho State Head
>Start Program includes mothers. There are approximately 8,500 children
>eligible for Head Start Programs in Idaho, and about 2,200 are enrolled. The
>criterion of the poorest of the poor is followed in enrolling students into
>the program.
>
>Here we have positive evidence that investment in our youngest poor results in
>lasting benefits to society if the elements of successful programs are
followed.
>The importance of families is paramount in the raising of these children
>and families must be included in program activities.
>
>Those of you interested in further information on this study can check out
>Rand's web site at http://ww.rand.org/publications/MR/MR898.feature/
>
>Rep. Tom Trail/Dist. 5
>
>Dr. Tom Trail
>International Trails
>2039 Mt. View Rd.
>Moscow, Id. 83843
>Tel: (208) 882-6077
>Fax: (208) 882-0896
>e mail ttrail@moscow.com
>
>
>