Pre-K programs mean good foundation for learning

If you are among those parents who have been emotionally flogging yourself because of guilt for putting your children in school too early, or you are parents debating whether or not to go the preschool route, take comfort in this latest study.

The Pittsburgh Tribune review, in a story written By Jeremy Boren that ran Oct. 23, cited a three-year, statewide study that showed that a good education before kindergarten vastly improves a child's ability to learn.

The study of 10,002 preschoolers from low-income families showed that youngsters who hadn't been given the chance to socialize early and learn from other kids in a classroom setting quickly fall behind academically, said Dr. Stephen Bagnato, a University of Pittsburgh professor of pediatrics and psychology who conducted the study with help from a $1 million grant from The Heinz Endowments.

Also, the value of Pre-K can be measured in the number of children who are enrolled in special-ed programs when they enter school.

The story stated that among “high-risk” low-income children, the rate of kids in special-ed programs had been 18 percent. But the rate among children in the 21 districts participating in Pre-K programs and examined by the study was only 2 percent.