Understanding the Mechanisms through Which an Influential Early Childhood Program Boosted Adult Outcomes

James Heckman, Rodrigo Pinto and Peter Savelyev ()

American Economic Review, 2013, vol. 103, issue 6, 2052-86

Abstract: A growing literature establishes that high quality early childhood interventions targeted toward disadvantaged children have substantial impacts on later life outcomes. Little is known about the mechanisms producing these impacts. This paper uses longitudinal data on cognitive and personality skills from an experimental evaluation of the influential Perry Preschool program to analyze the channels through which the program boosted both male and female participant outcomes. Experimentally induced changes in personality skills explain a sizable portion of adult treatment effects.

JEL-codes: I21 I24 I28 J13 J24 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2013
Note: DOI: 10.1257/aer.103.6.2052
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Working Paper: Understanding the Mechanisms Through Which an Influential Early Childhood Program Boosted Adult Outcomes (2012)
Working Paper: Understanding the Mechanisms through Which an Influential Early Childhood Program Boosted Adult Outcomes (2012)
Working Paper: Understanding the Mechanisms through Which an Influential Early Childhood Program Boosted Adult Outcomes (2012)
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