December 15, 2005
State Schools Chief Jack O'Connell Comments on new
RAND Study Showing Specific Benefits of Preschool
SACRAMENTO — State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell issued the following statement about a new RAND study measuring the benefits of preschool in specific communities:
"The new RAND study of the benefits of preschool once again tells us that preschool is one of the best investments we can make for the future of California. It's never been more important that all students start school ready to learn to high standards.
"We can no longer afford to expect only some of our students to achieve to world-class standards. If California is to compete in the rapidly advancing global economy, all of our students must become high-level problem solvers, excellent communicators and adaptable lifelong learners. But today, we have a pernicious achievement gap that is leaving too many of our students far behind where they need to be in reaching this goal. I'm convinced, and the research shows, that preschool for all is our best hope for eliminating this gap and providing all students with a real opportunity to succeed in the world.
"Los Angeles has our largest and most challenging school population. The RAND study found that if L.A. County's 150,000 4-year-olds were given the chance to enroll in a quality preschool program, there would be an 11 percent reduction in high school dropouts, 4,500 fewer children would be retained in a grade, and 11 percent fewer children designated for special education programs.
"This research shows we can reduce the numbers of kids falling behind and dropping out of school. These are real numbers that tell us what a difference we could make, right here in our state, if every child started school having had the benefit of preschool.
"Simply put, preschool works. It's time for every child to benefit from a quality preschool program and for California to reap the many benefits preschool will pay in the years to come."
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Attachment
RAND Study [http://www.rand.org/pubs/technical_reports/2005/RAND_TR340.pdf] (Outside Source) (PDF; 0.5MB; 84pp.)
Images of O'Connell at RAND news conference and greeting students: Year 2005 - Multimedia
