Schools, Skills, and Synapses

James J. Heckman

No 3515, IZA Discussion Papers from Institute for the Study of Labor (IZA)

Abstract: This paper discusses (a) the role of cognitive and noncognitive ability in shaping adult outcomes, (b) the early emergence of differentials in abilities between children of advantaged families and children of disadvantaged families, (c) the role of families in creating these abilities, (d) adverse trends in American families, and (e) the effectiveness of early interventions in offsetting these trends. Practical issues in the design and implementation of early childhood programs are discussed.

Keywords: productivity; high school dropout; ability gaps; family influence; noncognitive skills; early interventions (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: A12 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-edu, nep-hrm and nep-ure
Date: 2008-05
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Related works:
Working Paper: Schools, Skills, and Synapses (2008)
Working Paper: Schools, Skills, and Synapses (2008)
Journal Article: SCHOOLS, SKILLS, AND SYNAPSES (2008)
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