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Memphis Area Law Enforcement to Release New Report Showing High-Quality Pre-Kindergarten Prevents Teen Pregnancies and Cuts Crime

Release Date: May 16, 2006

Pre-Kindergarten Could Reduce Teen Births By Thousands

On Wednesday, Shelby County Sheriff Mark Luttrell, Memphis Police Director Larry Godwin, and District Attorney General William Gibbons will release a new report by Fight Crime: Invest in Kids Tennessee showing that high-quality pre-kindergarten dramatically cuts teen pregnancies and prevents crime in the next generation and generations to come. The Memphis area has one of the highest teen pregnancy rates in the state, accounting for one-quarter of all Tennessee teen pregnancies. The law enforcement leaders will call on the State Legislature to increase funding for pre-kindergarten.

Last year, Tennessee expanded its statewide pre-kindergarten program for 3,000 more children. However, three out of four of Tennessee’s 4 year olds still don’t have access to pre-kindergarten. Gov. Phil Bredesen proposed and the State Legislature is now considering a $45 million increase in funding. Without greater investments in high-quality pre-kindergarten programs, Memphis and Tennessee risk ongoing high teen pregnancy rates and more crime.