Results, to age 19, of a study of 123 Black youths from families of low socioeconomic status, indicate lasting beneficial effects of preschool education in improving scholastic placement and achievement; decreasing delinquency and crime, welfare assistance use, and incidence of teenage pregnancy; and in increasing rates of high school graduation,…

Noting that growing evidence indicates that high-quality preschool child development programs contribute to the short and long-term development of children living in poverty, this digest summarizes recently reported experimental and quasi-experimental studies of Head Start and similar programs. Recently reported experimental studies include those…

Noting that growing evidence indicates that high-quality preschool child development programs contribute to the short- and long-term development of children living in poverty, this Digest summarizes recently reported experimental and quasi-experimental studies of Head Start and similar programs. Recently reported experimental studies include those…

Taking issue with the preceding article by Caruso and Detterman, the author contends that research can be one of many respected voices in the political process. According to him, recent research on the effects of early education has played a crucial role in policy decisions about Project Head Start. (Author/WD)

Discusses a study of three high-quality curriculum models designed for disadvantaged preschoolers: programed learning, open-framework (teacher and child-initiated activities), and child-centered. While the study showed that diverse curriculum models can be equally effective, the age 15 data point to child-initiated learning activities as most…

This paper presents some ideas to preschool educators and policy makers about how to make validated educational models central in standards for preschool education and care programs that are available to all 3- and 4-year-olds. Defining an educational model as a coherent body of program practices, curriculum content, program and child, and teacher…

Studied the long-term benefits of preschool programs for young children living in poverty in the High/Scope Perry Preschool Study, which examined the lives of 123 African Americans randomly divided into a preschool treatment group and a no-preschool comparison group. Cost-benefit analyses of data on these students to age 27 show beneficial effects…

Describes qualities of a good preschool child-development program: Competent staff, parent partnerships, administrative support, and school board support. Provides list of online resources. (PKP)

The High/Scope Perry Preschool Study is a study of the effects of a high-quality preschool program for children born in poverty. Following 123 children randomly assigned to program or no-program control groups, the study has had little attrition on a variety of measures from age 3 to age 41. The study has found evidence of preschool program…

A 27-year study found that African-American students who participated in the High/Scope Perry preschool program completed more schooling, committed fewer crimes, had higher rates of employment, and earned a higher income than nonparticipants. The program was found to be cost effective. Results suggest that high-quality programs with strong parent…

This digest reviews various longitudinal studies that examined the long-term effects of programs that served young children living in poverty and at risk of school failure. Concerning program effects on school performance, all studies that collected data on children's intellectual performance found that their program groups had better intellectual…

Defends the authors' conclusions in this "Educational Leadership" issue that the High/Scope preschool program produced teenagers with half the delinquency rate of those experiencing teacher-directed instruction. Counters Russell Gersten and W. White's claims of research bias, defending the study's use of appropriate blind data…

This monograph presents the methods and results of the High/Scope Preschool Curriculum Comparison Study through Age 23, which compares the relative effectiveness of three preschool curriculum models: (1) direct instruction; (2) traditional nursery school; and (3) High/Scope. Part 1 of the monograph provides an overview of the study and surveys…

This book reports on the High/Scope Perry Preschool Project, a longitudinal study assessing whether high-quality, active learning preschool programs can provide both short- and long-term benefits to children living in poverty and at high risk of failing in school. For almost 3 decades the study has followed the lives of 123 such children from…

Summarizes the benefits of early childhood education programs offering new hope to disadvantaged children and long-range savings to taxpayers. Reviews major issues concerning public preschool education, including funding, eligibility, need for high quality programs with a child development emphasis, adequate staffing, and appropriate child and…