Minnesota Law Enforcement Leaders Say Quality Early Learning Programs Reduce Violent Crime, Save Millions in Special Education Costs

Sheriff, prosecutors, police captain to release report calling on federal and state lawmakers to make high-quality early education programs a top priority

**Media Advisory for Tuesday, August 31**

MINNEAPOLIS, Aug. 30 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Area law enforcement officials will hold a news conference Tuesday to release a new report showing that investing more in voluntary high-quality pre-kindergarten programs not only reduces crime over the long run but also saves millions of dollars in the state's education budget in the short term. The report will document that investments in pre-k programs can reduce the need for special education placements and other K-12 education expenses when pre-k children advance to later grades.

The law enforcement leaders will call on the state's Congressional delegation, including Rep. John Kline and Sen. Al Franken, to press for a shift from a K-through-12 education model to a pre-k through-12 approach, as Congress considers reauthorizing the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, known as the No Child Left Behind Act in its last renewal.  Citing the many benefits of pre-k programs, the law enforcement leaders will express support for federal incentives to states to increase access to high-quality pre-kindergarten as part of the new federal legislation. Sen. Franken and Rep. Kline serve on the education committees in the Senate and House drafting the legislation. Rep. Kline is the ranking member of the House committee.

SOURCE Fight Crime: Invest in Kids

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