---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I learned that the way governors…"
description: "\"“I learned that the way governors projected the numbers of beds they'd need for prison facilities was by examining the reading scores of third graders...."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/90d/wes-moore-2818_prison_i-learned-that-the-way-governors-project_1842352.png"
---

#  I learned that the way governors projected the numbers of…

![“I learned that the way governors projected the numbers of beds they'd need for prison facilities was by examining the reading scores of third graders. Elected officials deduced that a strong percentage of kids reading below their grade level by third grade would be needing a secure place to stay…” quote by Wes Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/90d/wes-moore-2818_prison_i-learned-that-the-way-governors-project_1842352.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/90d/wes-moore-2818_prison_i-learned-that-the-way-governors-project_1842352.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/90d/wes-moore-2818_prison_i-learned-that-the-way-governors-project_1842352.png)

> ““I learned that the way governors projected the numbers of beds they'd need for prison facilities was by examining the reading scores of third graders. Elected officials deduced that a strong percentage of kids reading below their grade level by third grade would be needing a secure place to stay when they got older.””

[Wes Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wes-moore/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Governors use poor elementary reading scores to predict future incarceration rates, linking education deficits to crime.

**In simple terms:** Bad reading predicts future crime.

Key Takeaway

Invest in early literacy to reduce crime.

Themes

education crime policy prevention

Mood

concerned hopeful

Type

analytical advocacy

When to use this quote

- school reform
- parental involvement
- community tutoring
- policy advocacy

Key Concepts

social determinants systemic inequality predictive analytics

Questions to Reflect On

- How can early literacy programs be funded sustainably?
- What other metrics predict future social outcomes?

A Different Perspective

Correlation does not prove causation; other factors influence criminal behavior.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Kids Reading](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/kids-reading/) [Prison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prison/) [Third grade](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/third-grade/)

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