Decreases in High School Dropouts & Crime Rate Linked to Universal Preschool

Nearly 3,300 more students would graduate from high school each year and almost 10,000 fewer criminal charges would be filed against juveniles if all 4-year-olds in LA County were given the chance to attend a quality half-day preschool program.  

These new findings from Rand Corp., released last Thursday, confirmed earlier data that led to development of First 5 LA's 10-year Master Plan for Universal Preschool.

To implement the plan, First 5 LA, in 2004, committed $600 million over five years to make preschool available to all 4-year-olds in LA County by 2014.  Projected to serve 100,000 children, this would be the largest network of high-quality preschools in the nation.  

Citing a state-wide return of $2.62 on every dollar invested in preschool opportunities for all California children, Rand Corp. Senior Economist Lynn Karoly noted that the return for LA County is likely to be much higher due to the region's size and high percentage of underserved children.

Also speaking in support of universal preschool at the news conference were Jack O'Connell, state superintendent of Public Instruction; Ed Reyes, LA City Councilmember; Catherine Atkin, president of Preschool California, and Gary Mangiofico, COO of Los Angeles Universal Preschool (LAUP).

In November, First 5 California Chair Rob Reiner announced that one million signatures have been collected to put a state-wide universal preschool ballot initiative before California voters in June 2006. If passed, this would fund preschool opportunities for all 4-year-olds in California.

For information, visit www.preschoolcalifornia.org.