School–Based Early Intervention and Later Child Maltreatment in the Chicago Longitudinal Study

Abstract

Investigated were the effects of participation in the Title I Child-Parent Centers (CPC) on substantiated reports of child maltreatment for 1,408 children (93% of whom are African American) in the Chicago Longitudinal Study. The CPCs provide child education and family support services in high-poverty areas. After adjusting for preprogram maltreatment and background factors, 913 preschool participants had significantly lower rates of court petitions of maltreatment by age 17 than 495 children of the same age who participated in alternative kindergarten interventions (5.0% vs. 10.5%, a 52% reduction). Participation for 4 to 6 years was significantly associated with lower rates of maltreatment (3.6% vs. 6.9%, a 48% reduction). Findings based on child protective service records (as well as combined protective service and court records) were similar. Preschool length, family risk, and school poverty were associated with lower rates of maltreatment. Parental involvement in school and school mobility were significant mediators of intervention effects.

Multi-Site Expansion of an Early Childhood Intervention and School Readiness

“…16,18 Statistical Analysis 34,35 SEs and significance tests were adjusted for variation among sites by using the HuberWhite/sandwich correction. 32,33 As observed in previous studies, [16][17][18][19][20][21] coefficients were robust to alternative covariates and model specifications. Given the relatively high levels of fidelity of program implementation, site-to-site variation in outcomes was modest.…”

“…Participation beginning in preschool was found to eliminate the achievement gap in school readiness and early performance, reduce rates of child maltreatment and school remedial education, reduce rates of felony arrest and substance abuse, and increase rates of high school graduation. [15][16][17][18][19] Economic benefits were found to exceed costs by a ratio of 7-to-1 or higher. [20][21][22] Although these findings provide a foundation for expansion, the contemporary context of early childhood programs are different than in the 1980s.…”

“…Because CPC provides more intensive and comprehensive services than most other programs, larger and more sustained effects have been found on educational, economic, and social well-being. [16][17][18][19][20] In contrast to efficacy trials, CPC also implements a system of services for broader populations that are costefficient and replicable. The Midwest CPC expansion is designed to increase access to high-quality early childhood programs and provide a continuous learning experience through the early school grades.…”

Uncorrected hyperopia and preschool early literacy: results of the Vision in Preschoolers-Hyperopia In Preschoolers (VIP-HIP) Study

“…Reported benefits of educational intervention to address deficits in early literacy include fewer referrals for special education services, reduced grade retention rates, increased graduation rates, and less juvenile delinquency. 39 Further research is needed to determine the effect of refractive correction on these educational deficits. It is important to determine whether correction of hyperopia may benefit preschool children by improving their ability to perform visually and academically.…”

The Pediatrician's Role in Child Maltreatment Prevention

“…[69][70][71] Although pediatricians have long been familiar with therapeutic preschools and with parenting programs, study results have suggested that these interventions are more effective when multiple modalities are combined with those that target the entire family. Reynolds and Robertson 72 reported that participation in school-based child-parent centers, which provided extensive family education and support, reduced maltreatment by 50% in a population at high risk. Other study results have shown significant effects when community-based parent-child interventions are targeted at specific populations, combine peer and professional support, and provide some services directly to the children.…”