Greg J. Duncan|Katherine Magnuson
Investing in Preschool Programs
University of California, Irvine|University of Wisconsin–Madison
summarize available evidence extent expenditures early childhood education programs constitute worthy social investments human capital children provide overview existing early childhood education programs summarize results substantial body methodologically sound evaluations impacts early childhood education evidence supports unqualified conclusions many early childhood education programs appear boost cognitive ability early school achievement short run however show smaller impacts generated bestknown programs cognitive impacts largely disappear within years despite fadeout longrun followups handful wellknown programs show lasting positive effects outcomes greater educational attainment higher earnings lower rates crime uncertain skills behaviors developmental processes particularly important producing longerrun impacts review also describes different models human development used social scientists examines heterogeneous results across groups tries identify ingredients early childhood education programs likely improve performance programs