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The Effect of Early Childhood Programs on Third-Grade Test Scores: Evidence from Transitional Kindergarten in Michigan

Author

Listed:
  • Jordan Berne
  • Brian Jacob
  • Tareena Musaddiq
  • Anna Shapiro
  • Christina Weiland

Abstract

Transitional kindergarten (TK) is a relatively recent entrant into the US early education landscape, combining features of public pre-K and regular kindergarten. We provide the first estimates of the impact of Michigan's TK program on third-grade test scores. Using an augmented regression discontinuity design, we find that TK improves third-grade test scores by 0.29 (math) and 0.19 (English language arts) standard deviations relative to a counterfactual that includes other formal and informal early learning options. These impacts are notably large relative to the prior pre-K literature.

Suggested Citation

  • Jordan Berne & Brian Jacob & Tareena Musaddiq & Anna Shapiro & Christina Weiland, 2024. "The Effect of Early Childhood Programs on Third-Grade Test Scores: Evidence from Transitional Kindergarten in Michigan," AEA Papers and Proceedings, American Economic Association, vol. 114, pages 480-485, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:aea:apandp:v:114:y:2024:p:480-85
    DOI: 10.1257/pandp.20241081
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Matias D. Cattaneo & Michael Jansson & Xinwei Ma, 2020. "Simple Local Polynomial Density Estimators," Journal of the American Statistical Association, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 115(531), pages 1449-1455, July.
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • H75 - Public Economics - - State and Local Government; Intergovernmental Relations - - - State and Local Government: Health, Education, and Welfare
    • I21 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Analysis of Education
    • I22 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Educational Finance; Financial Aid
    • I26 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Returns to Education
    • I28 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Government Policy

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