Wilder Research, in conjunction with the Invest Early leadership team and staff, is conducting a longitudinal and cost-benefit evaluation. Annual reports document and assess implementation of Invest Early and outcomes for the service system, families, and children.
Invest Early expected outcomes and returns on investment In the short term, Invest Early aims to improve children's school readiness by improving the system of early childhood screening, care, and education; strengthening and empowering families; and promoting healthy child development.
Invest Early believes these improvements will ultimately save taxpayers' money by reducing the number of children needing special education services, cutting the number of children repeating kindergarten or first grade, and reducing out-of-home placements for children.
The big returns on investment are expected to accrue as Invest Early children become teenagers and adults and, relative to a comparison group of their peers who did not participate in Invest Early programs, achieve higher graduation rates and employment earnings, have better mental and chemical health, and have lower rates of juvenile delinquency, crime, and imprisonment. HIGHLIGHTS Invest Early is an effective program in preparing low-income students with multiple risk factors for school success when delivered in sufficient quantity.
Home learning environments, which are associated with higher school readiness scores, improve significantly for Invest Early families during their participation.
Kindergarten entry results show that Invest Early closed the proficiency gap this year relative to higher-income students and exceeded the low-income comparison group by nearly 2 to 1 (57% vs. 29% proficient, using the new 75 percent cut-off for overall proficiency).
Based on MCA-II reading and math tests in 2009-10 during their third grade year, Invest Early children have better outcomes than a comparison group of children from low-income families with no Invest Early, Head Start, or School Readiness program experience.
Mission: The Minnesota Elementary School Principals' Association is dedicated to promoting and improving education for children and youth, strengthening the role as educational leader for elementary and middle level principals, and collaborating with partners in education to assist in achieving these goals.
Leading schools toward excellence through the MESPA vision to be the premiere resource for preparing today's principals for tomorrow and a strong leading voice for public education.
Minnesota Elementary School Principals' Association
