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The Dynastic Benefits of Early-Childhood Education: Participant Benefits and Family Spillovers

Author

Listed:
  • Frederik H. Bennhoff
  • Jorge Luis García
  • Duncan Ermini Leaf

Abstract

We demonstrate the social efficiency of investing in high-quality early-childhood education using newly collected data from the HighScope Perry Preschool Project. The data analyzed are the longest follow-up of any randomized early-childhood education program. Annual observations of participant outcomes up to midlife allow us to provide a cost-benefit analysis without relying on forecasts. Adult outcomes on the participants’ children and siblings allow us to quantify spillover benefits. The program generates a benefit-cost ratio of 6.0 (p-value = .03). Spillover benefits increase this ratio to 7.5 (p-value = .00).

Suggested Citation

  • Frederik H. Bennhoff & Jorge Luis García & Duncan Ermini Leaf, 2024. "The Dynastic Benefits of Early-Childhood Education: Participant Benefits and Family Spillovers," Journal of Human Capital, University of Chicago Press, vol. 18(1), pages 44-73.
    • Handle: RePEc:ucp:jhucap:doi:10.1086/728058
    DOI: 10.1086/728058
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    Cited by:

    1. Jorge Luis Garcia & James J. Heckman, 2024. ""Unsettled Science on Longer-run Effects of Early Education:" A Response," Working Papers 2024-012, Human Capital and Economic Opportunity Working Group.
    2. James Heckman & Haihan Tian & Zijian Zhang & Jin Zhou, 2025. "Dynamic Complementarity," RFBerlin Discussion Paper Series 2595, ROCKWOOL Foundation Berlin (RFBerlin).
    3. Gallegos, Sebastián & García, Jorge Luis, 2024. "Childcare and parenting in the production of early life skills," Economics of Education Review, Elsevier, vol. 101(C).
    4. de Vries, Sander & Ketel, Nadine & Lindeboom, Maarten, 2024. "From Parents' Cradle to Children's Career: Intergenerational Effects of Parental Investments," IZA Discussion Papers 17570, IZA Network @ LISER.
    5. Ziege, Elena, 2025. "Passport to progress: The effects of birthright citizenship on siblings’ education," Economics of Education Review, Elsevier, vol. 109(C).
    6. Alison W. Baulos & Jorge Luis García & James J. Heckman, 2024. "Perry Preschool at 50: What Lessons Should Be Drawn and Which Criticisms Ignored?," NBER Working Papers 32972, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    7. Gibbs, Chloe, 2026. "Early Learning Across Decades: Advances in Measuring Head Start Effectiveness," IZA Discussion Papers 18407, IZA Network @ LISER.

    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • J13 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Fertility; Family Planning; Child Care; Children; Youth
    • I28 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Government Policy
    • C93 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Field Experiments
    • H43 - Public Economics - - Publicly Provided Goods - - - Project Evaluation; Social Discount Rate

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