Understanding the Mechanisms through Which an Influential Early Childhood Program Boosted Adult Outcomes
James Heckman, Rodrigo Pinto, Peter Savelyev
American Economic Review · 2013 · Volume 103 · Issue 6
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.
Keywords
Analysis of Education, Education and Inequality, Education: Government Policy, Fertility, Family Planning, Child Care, Children, Youth, Human Capital, Skills, Occupational Choice, Labor Productivity
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