5 Reasons You Should Care About Pre-K

raiseyour hand TEXAS Why Should Taxpayers Care About Pre-k? Texas has the fastest growing EDUCATIONALLY DISADVANTAGED population in the country. In 2010-11, the Texas pre-k population jumped by more than 10,000 students. PRE-K SAVES TEXAS MONEY. A SAVINGS TO THE STATE for not having to re-educate those first graders was Between 2005-06 and 2008-09 fewer first graders were retained even as enrollment increased by 7%. $21,447,400. IS IT BABYSITTING? No! See the test scores. No! > See the test scores. TAKS passing rates for 3rd grade economically disadvantaged students 88% 85% 83% 79% READING MATH TAKS Pre-k No Pre-k Neuroscientists, child development specialists, business leaders and economists agree – high-quality pre-k works! Research Supports An Investment In Pre-k: TEXAS INVESTMENT 1. Pre-k provides an exceptional RETURN ON INVESTMENT. According to the Bush School at A&M: $3.50 2. Pre-k reduces the crime rate. Police officers, prosecutors, and attorneys general agree. No Pre-k Pre-k 3. Pre-k reduces the high school dropout rate. Fewer dropouts means Texas will have a workforce to maintain its economic base DROPOUT and competitiveness. 4. Pre-k is a prerequisite to prosperity. High School Graduation College Entrance Rates Children Entering The Juvenile And Adult Justice System Children Referred To Special Education Rates BUILDS A STRONGER WORKFORCE IN TEXAS 5. Despite the considerable research on the POsitive impacts of pre-k, the Texas Legislature cut $223 million in grant funding SZZO MILLION $223 for high quality full-day prekindergarten programs in 2011. What can you do? Help us invest in the Tuture workforce of Texas. JOIN Raise Your Hand Texas and lend your voice to the fight at the Capitol for high-quality Texas public education. Ainils Sources: A Cost-Benefit Analysis of Universally-Accessible Pre-Kindergarten Education in Texas by The Bush School of Government & Public Service at Texas A&M University; School or the Streets by Fight Crime: Invest in Kids; Economic benefits of quality preschool education for America's 3- and 4-year olds by NIER, Rutgers University; Pre-K issues step to the front of the classroom by The Hechinger Report