Benefits of
Pre-K
In pre-K classrooms, teachers use children's interests and ideas to create enjoyable learning activities. When children are interested in the activity, they are more engaged, which creates more opportunities for learning.
Benefits in Elementary School
Increases:
- Likelihood of reading on grade level in 3rd grade
- Control of emotions and use of healthy coping strategies
- Development and use of social skills
Reduces:
- Need for special education services
- Likelihood of repeating a grade
Research:
Benefits in Adulthood
Increases:
- High school completion and on-time graduation rates
- Positive mental health
Reduces:
- Interaction with law enforcement
- Chance of teen pregnancy
- Use of government assistance programs as adults
Benefits for Families & the Community
Though children are the ones in the classroom learning and preparing for kindergarten, families and community members benefit from public pre-K, too!
Family
- Build relationships with teachers, children, other families
- See their children learn in the classroom
- Opportunities to share skills with class
- Attend family events and interact with classmates and their families
- Increased access to child and family resources with support from teacher
Community Benefits
- Increased teacher salaries
- Return on investment can be as high as $17 when investing in pre-K
- Durham PreK is a long-term investment in the greater community
- Increased support of small businesses and many Black business women
- Partnerships with local colleges and universities