ERIC Number: ED313461
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 1989-May
Pages: 25
Abstractor: N/A
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Which Kids Matter? And to Whom?
Shays, Betsi
In Connecticut, the state with the highest per capita income in the country, 110,000 children, or 14.5 percent of the population, live in poverty; 39,000 of these poor children are 5 years of age or younger. Further, 38.5 percent of Black children and 62.3 percent of Hispanic children in Connecticut live in poverty. Poverty and membership in a racial or ethnic minority group are factors identified with children at risk of educational failure and dropping out. The high costs of poor educational outcomes are measurable in the welfare system, the criminal justice system, health care services, and unemployment compensation. Connecticut and the nation must provide all children with a good education in order to compete in the global marketplace. This paper, addressed to Connecticut legislators, presents research findings, interpretations, and analyses supporting the contention that early intervention is highly effective in dropout prevention; poor children at risk of academic failure benefit in the short and long terms from a quality preschool experience. However, among educational initiatives before the Connecticut legislature, preschool programs have minimal support, suggesting shortcomings in political will, long range planning and commitment, and leadership. The paper includes one chart and a list of 10 references. (AF)
Publication Type: Opinion Papers; Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: N/A
Audience: Policymakers
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Connecticut
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A