How Education Can Reduce Crime
Education is an effective way to reduce crime and combat adversity. Instead of harsher laws to prevent crime, individuals can attain productivity in society with training and education. This can reduce the murder and crime rates, decrease the number of inmates in prison, and save both resources and money. 
There have been numerous studies conducted regarding the impact of education on crime. One study concerned children ages three to four, participating for fifteen years in an educational program. The study showed the children not enrolled in the preschool program did not have the same developmental opportunities as the other children. The chances of these kids being arrested before they turned eighteen was seventy percent higher than those who attended preschool. The study proved a child’s early development and education is critical regarding the development of their mental health. This can help prevent these children from committing crimes when they are older. 
The education children receive in the early stages plays a significant role in the development of their mental health. During a child’s first three years of life their behavioral and cognitive traits develop. This development provides the basis for their personalities in the future. One of the most important aspects are the learning skills children are taught during this time. This includes the best way to deal with confrontations and problems. When the child learns in an environment in which they feel safe, their confrontational skills are better developed. When a young child acts out due to difficulties with cooperation, they are taught non-violent and safe ways to handle their feelings in the educational program. There are instructors and teaches to show the child effective ways to channel any negative energy and frustrations into productive actions. The child gains the ability to control their discomfort and anger.
These characteristics and behavioral traits provide the basis for the mental health of the child. As the child grows, the concepts they have learned remain a part of their characteristics. When the child grows in an environment that is violent and abusive, and they do not have educational support available, the odds of becoming a potential criminal or a juvenile delinquent are significantly higher.
When issues regarding preventing crime are talked about in society, reactive measures and retaliation are the most common defense. If a community is experiencing an unusual amount of substance abuse, the immediate reaction is to incorporate harsher penalties and punishments to discourage further abuse. If the stricter punishments do not have any effect, the next step is usually to find a way to make the substances more difficult to attain. This places the focus on the prevention of the actions, but does not take the motivation into consideration. Education can have a much greater effect than punishment.
When education is made the primary goal in a child’s early education, the result is often less interest in committing a crime as the child grows into adulthood. 
An educational focus enables a more permanent solution to reducing crime due to the shift in mentality provided by the child’s upbringing and education. Role models are necessary to provide a strong moral compass to deter crime. This often comes from educators and teachers who have earned the respect and admiration of the child. This becomes especially important when the child’s parents work, and do not have as much time available to spend with their children. This lack of a role model can play a large role in the child committing a crime in the future.
When the child is attending a daycare program or a preschool, the void is successfully filled. Well planned programs, and educated teachers can teach the importance of morality to the children. The most critical years for these programs are preschool through grade twelve. These are the years the child develops their moral compass, and are given preparation to become a part of the workforce. This is when the life of the child starts to be determined.
Harsher laws have not proven an efficient detriment to prevent individuals from making errors and committing crimes. People can receive encouragement as children to become productive within society by receiving the necessary training and education. One of the major contributors to crime is poverty. When a child receives an education, and the tools needed for success, instead of turning to crime, they have the ability to build a life.
Education is the best way to combat adversity. Education fights against ignorance, and creates a respectful society with an open mind. When funding is placed on education instead of preventative measures, people become productive, contribute to society, and the number of delinquents is decreased.
Scott Groza is one of the founders of the Groza Learning Center. He uses individualized academic programs to improve the performance of his students. His lengthy career in education has enabled him to achieve outstanding results by providing students with the development of a comphrenisve educational plan.