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On average state and federal corrections spending amounts to more than double the total state and federal spending on education. A recent report released by Fight Crime: Invest in Kids Maine found that if states were to invest in early childhood care and education, they would reduce spending on corrections over time. According to another report released by Fight Crime: Invest in Kids Illinois states investing in early care and education will experience long term savings of 16$ for every 1$ initially invested.
Investing in quality early childhood care and education can lead to a reduction in the number of student with developmental delays, grade retention and helps to reduce crime rates. These investments will also lead to an increase in high school graduation rates, improvements in the learning environments of classrooms across the nation, better educational performance, increases in literacy rates and reductions in the need for special education services for students later on in their schooling.
The need for special education services would decrease because quality early childhood education programs address certain developmental delays found in at-risk preschool aged children. These programs also help children to acquire the necessary social and self-control skills that are needed to address the problematic behaviors sometimes found in elementary class rooms. This decrease in the need for special education is paramount for states because special education services cost nearly double the cost of general education. And because schools are legally obligated to provide appropriate special education services to students in need investing in high quality early education could lead to significant long term savings for states.
Sixty-one percent of American children under the age of five currently attend an early childhood education or care program. According to a study done by Margret Burchinal the need for high quality programs is important because low quality early education and childcare programs can increase the risk of school failure, crime, and other negative outcomes. High quality early childhood education and care programs would include some of the following characteristics: Highly skilled teachers, comprehensive, creative, and age-appropriate curriculums, strong family and community involvement, appropriate staff to child ratios, small class sizes, appropriate screening and referral services for special health, behavior, and developmental needs
States can increase their early childhood care and education programs by partnering with federal initiatives like The Race to the Top- Early Learning Challenge and the Pathways and Partnerships for Childcare Excellence. Legislation that ensures support for early childhood education and care, quality education, and special education services are all ways that policymakers can help support the educational needs of children while reducing both crime and spending. To learn more about the quality of early care and education policymakers can also research their state’s Quality Improvement System. For more information on results-based policies that support young children and families visit Policyforresults.org.