Early Childhood Educators: Our Partners in Crime Prevention in Tennessee

Early childhood education can be a powerful means of giving at-risk young kids the right start and helping them avoid becoming involved in crime later in life. To achieve these outcomes, preschool must be high quality. Research indicates that a well-qualified teacher workforce is an essential, fundamental component of high-quality early childhood education. Teachers must be well-trained before beginning their teaching careers, and participate in ongoing professional development training. Adequate compensation is also key to attract top talent.

Tennessee policymakers must ensure that policies and resources support teacher workforce quality, so that early childhood education’s crime prevention potential is achieved.