CRAWFORD expounds on early childhood education intervention

BILL CRAWFORD — Early interventions could lift Mississippi off bottom

Significant impacts for early interventions include leveling the playing field in educational performance for at-risk children, improving their college going rates by four to one, reducing their use of public assistance by five to one, and improving their average earnings by 50%.

The cost-benefit analysis by Dr. Heckman of these targeted interventions showed a 7.3 to 1 return on investment by adulthood.

“The health, education, and well-being of children forecast the future of communities and states,” said Dr. Craig Ramey. “If we don’t get a significant sector of the population started early, it is hard to make a difference later.”

So, Mississippi do we want to grow a more productive workforce, smarter kids, and more college graduates while reducing welfare dependence, school retention, and special needs demands? These are real outcomes that would lift Mississippi off the bottom of so many national rankings.

MBJ
12/20/17