NCJ Number
111284
Journal
Today's Delinquent Volume: 6 Dated: (1987) Pages: 71-86
Date Published
1987
Length
16 pages
Annotation
This article challenges Gary Gottfredson's contentions that the Perry Preschool Program had little value in reducing subsequent problem and delinquent behaviors and that the family and justice systems are insignificant arenas for delinquency intervention compared to the school.
Abstract
The Perry Preschool Program in Michigan used a preschool 'Head Start' intellectual enrichment program for poor black children at ages 3-4 in an effort to increase subsequent school success and reduce delinquency. Gottsfredson disparages the favorable evaluation results for this program, arguing that the results are irresponsibly reported and best regarded as a fluke. These criticisms are excessively harsh and do not credit the conclusions of the study of 11 similar projects by the Consortium for Longitudinal Studies (1983), which convincingly indicate the long-term beneficial impact of preschool intellectual enrichment programs. Gottfredson's contention that the school is a more fruitful arena for delinquency intervention than the family or the juvenile justice system does a disservice to a comprehensive approach to delinquency prevention. Prevention experiments in all these areas are both warranted and needed. 30 references.