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

James Heckman, Rodrigo Pinto and Peter Savelyev (savelyevp@vcu.edu)

No 18581, NBER Working Papers from National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc

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 traits 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 traits explain a sizable portion of adult treatment effects.

JEL-codes: I21 I28 I29 J13 J15 J16 J24 O15 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2012-11
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-dem, nep-lab, nep-ltv, nep-neu and nep-ure
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (29)

Published as James Heckman & Rodrigo Pinto & Peter Savelyev, 2013. "Understanding the Mechanisms through Which an Influential Early Childhood Program Boosted Adult Outcomes," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 103(6), pages 2052-86, October.

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Journal Article: Understanding the Mechanisms through Which an Influential Early Childhood Program Boosted Adult Outcomes (2013)
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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