The HighScope/Perry Preschool Study

This week in EDU 6163, we are discussing ethics and the positive and negative effects of research and children.  As we look further into research ourselves, we were asked to share a positive example of the effects of research on children and/or families, and provide the research benefits to children and/or families.  I chose to share something that was right from my own backyard here in Ypsilanti, Michigan.  The benefits of the HighScope Perry Preschool Study are long lasting and have been passed from generation to generation.

Between the years of 1962 and 1967, one hundred and twenty-three (123) random 3 and 4-year-old children entered a high-quality preschool program, based on the HighScope curriculum that uses active participatory learning.  This group was compared to a group who received no preschool education.  The study went through 2005 and recently members of the study were interviewed(97% of study participants whom were still living and now 40 years old) reported that because they went through the program they had higher earnings, committed fewer crimes, were more likely to hold a job, and were more likely to have graduated high-school than the adults that received no preschool at all.

See a graph of the statistics below…

Perry Preschool Stats found at HighScope.org/perrypreschoolstudy

This graph shows the public benefits of the Perry Preschool Study.  As you can see there are many education savings, taxes on earnings, welfare savings, and savings on crime.  This study which took over 40 years to complete is definitely a benefit to the public because of the cost savings, in the long run, it has created.  Little cost with huge benefits.  High-quality preschool is an investment that can benefit everyone in the United States who pays taxes.

40 years of the Perry Preschool Study Benefits

Check out Larry Schweinhart (the president and director of HighScope) explaining the benefits of HighScope and growth gained from preventing school failure.