W. Steven Barnett|Jason T. Hustedt
Head Start?s Lasting Benefits
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey|Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
benefits head start increased scrutiny congress debates reauthorization effective head start improved provide current overview critical evaluation head start research discuss implications research eye toward informing debate good deal controversy whether head start produces lasting benefits dating back early years review finds mixed generally positive evidence regarding head starts longterm benefits although studies typically find increases iq fade time many studies also find decreases grade retention special education placements sustained increases school achievement sometimes found cases flawed research methods produce results mimic fadeout recent years federal government funded largescale evaluations head start early head start results early head start evaluation particularly informative study participants randomly assigned either early head start group control group early head start demonstrated modest improvements childrens development parent beliefs behavior ongoing national head start impact study also using random assignment yield additional insight head starts effectiveness conclude suggestions future research