Impact on Academic Success and Graduation Rates

Early Reading Skills and Academic Achievement: Students exposed to high-quality early education show enhanced literacy skills, which correlate strongly with higher graduation rates and academic success. Interventions that combine literacy with executive function training also address barriers faced by students in disadvantaged circumstances. (Herbers et al., 2012).

Trajectories of Academic Resilience: Resilient academic pathways for homeless or highly mobile children demonstrate the value of stable, quality early education. Such interventions help children achieve academic success despite systemic adversities. (Cutuli et al., 2013).
 

• Programs like Head Start in the United States show long-term benefits in reducing high school dropout rates and improving socioeconomic mobility.
   
• Trauma-informed curricula, such as those adopted by Community Schools, integrate mental health support and foster secure relationships

Education and Economic Mobility: Educational interventions for homeless families reveal long-term benefits in breaking intergenerational cycles of poverty and homelessness. These programs often include caregiver education, which strengthens the parent-child relationship, a key determinant of resilience. (Kilmer et al., 2012).
 

• Real-Life Success Stories: The Harlem Children’s Zone demonstrates how wraparound services combined with quality early education can lift entire communities out of poverty.
   
• Providing literacy resources for parents ensures education becomes a multi-generational change agent.

Research links strong early education foundations to lower involvement in crime later in life, primarily by promoting better decision-making skills, empathy, and critical thinking. Programs targeting at-risk youth reduce delinquency significantly by teaching conflict resolution and strengthening self-regulation skills. (McCrea et al., 2019).



 

Relationships formed during early education foster essential interpersonal skills, which enable better collaboration, communication, and conflict resolution later in life. Such competencies are foundational for both personal and professional success. (Hallett & Crutchfield, 2018). 

Resilience-building programs emphasize executive function and self-regulation, critical for adaptability and coping with stress. Training these skills during early childhood lays the groundwork for lifelong emotional intelligence and problem-solving ability. (Masten et al., 2015).
 

• Teaching emotional intelligence and interpersonal skills early reduces the likelihood of future interpersonal conflicts, including domestic violence and workplace issues. 
   

• Programs like Conscious Discipline teach self-regulation and promote empathy, creating more harmonious relationships across all life stages.
   

  
  
  
   

Educational Attainment: Leads to higher graduation rates and further education, which correlate with better job prospects and earnings.

Intergenerational Benefits: Parents of children who participate in early learning programs often become more involved in their child's education, encouraging a culture of learning at home.

Cognitive Skills: Enhances essential skills like reading and math, setting the stage for academic achievement.

Equity: High-quality early learning programs can help mitigate the effects of socioeconomic disadvantages by providing all children with the opportunity to develop essential skills.

Workforce Productivity: A better-educated workforce is more productive and adaptable to technological changes.

Economic Growth: Contributes to innovation and the creation of new industries, boosting the economy.

Social Skills: Early childhood education often emphasizes socialization, teaching children how to cooperate, resolve conflicts, and communicate effectively. These skills are crucial for success in the workforce and in forming healthy relationships.

Reduced Social Costs: Individuals who receive early education are less likely to require special education services, less likely to engage in criminal activity, and less likely to become teen parents. This reduces the social costs associated with these outcomes, such as law enforcement and welfare support.

Increased Productivity: With a better-educated workforce, productivity increases. Workers are more skilled and can adapt to complex tasks and technological advancements.

Healthier Lives: Early education that includes health can lead to better lifelong health, reducing medical costs.

Lifelong Learning: Early education fosters a love for learning that can last a lifetime. Individuals who are curious and love to learn are more likely to continue educating themselves, whether formally or informally, throughout their lives. 

How Do I Enroll My Child?

Registration is open to residents of Spokane County

You can enroll your child in person at United Way of Spokane County's office or by mail. 
Download the registration form by CLICKING HERE and mail it to United Way of Spokane County 

Mailing Address:

United Way of Spokane County
910 N Washington, Ste 101
Spokane, WA 99201

SPONSOR A CHILD!

Interested in supporting Dolly Parton's Imagination Library in Spokane County? A gift of only $30 sponsors a child for year in the program. ($150 for five years).