Study Finds Early Intervention Cuts Dropout Rates Among Low-Income Children

A study, published in the May 9, 2001 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association, has found that, for children of low-income families, participation in an established early childhood intervention program yields better educational and social outcomes through the age of 20.

According to JAMA, "[t]hese findings are among the strongest evidence that established programs administered through public schools can promote children's long-term success."

The longitudinal study tracks 989 children from low-income families taking part in the Chicago School District's Child-Parent Center (CCP) Program, which provides comprehensive education, family and health services and includes half-day preschool for children ages 3 to 4, half or full day kindergarten, and school-age services in linked elementary schools for children ages 6 to 9. The comparison group consisted of 550 low-income children attending other early childhood intervention programs, namely full-day kindergarten.

For 15 years, the study measured children's progress on key educational and social milestones, such as school readiness and achievement, grade retention, special education placement, and delinquency. The main findings showed that children who participated in the preschool intervention (CCP) for 1 to 2 years had a higher rate of high school completion, more years of completed education, and lower rates of juvenile arrest, violent arrest and school dropout. [Full JAMA article found at JAMA site with membership]

Prepared May 2001.