The High/Scope Perry Preschool Study to Age 40 Larry Schweinhart, Jeanne Montie, Zongping Xiang, W. Steven Barnett, Clive Belfield, Milagros Nores High/Scope Educational Research Foundation

Experimental design  123 young African-American children, living in poverty and at risk of school failure.  Randomly assigned to initially similar program and no-program groups.

Experimental design  4 teachers with bachelors’ degrees held a daily class of three- and four-year-olds and made weekly home visits.  Children participated in their own education by planning, doing, and reviewing their own activities.

Major findings over time

More high school graduates

More employed, higher earnings

Fewer arrested for various types of crimes

Better health and family relations

Different effects on males and females

Large return on investment (Per participant in 2000 constant dollars discounted 3% annually)

Study applications: Program «Teachers help children participate in their own education by having them plan, do, and review some of their own activities. «Teachers hold daily classes for 3- and 4-year- olds, including those at risk of school failure, with an adult for every 8 children. «Teachers visit with families frequently to discuss their children’s development.

Study applications: Teachers èA teacher with a bachelor’s degree and certification in education in every classroom. èAll teachers receive training, supervision, and assessment that support their participatory educational approach.

Participatory Preschool Model In the High/Scope participatory education model: The classroom is arranged into activity areas with materials close at hand. In the daily routine, children plan, do, and review some of their learning activities and also engage in small- and whole-group activities. Teachers help children grow by treating them with respect, engaging them in conversation, and supporting their key child development experiences.

High/Scope Preschool Curriculum Study

Other studies find long-term benefits and return on investment. Ramey and Campbell’s North Carolina Abecedarian project found such effects for high-quality versus typical child care. Reynolds’ Chicago Child-Parent Centers study found such effects for a big-city service program. Olds’ Elmira, New York, study found such effects for a nurse home visiting program.

Four preschool characteristics predict children’s later ability around the world. IEA Preprimary Study Having free-choice, participatory learning activities Having few whole-group activities Amount and variety of materials Teachers’ schooling