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Universal Preschool Lottery Admissions and Its Effects on Long-Run Earnings and Outcomes

Author

Listed:
  • Randall Akee
  • Leah R. Clark

Abstract

We use an admissions lottery to estimate the effect of a universal (non-means tested) preschool program on students’ long-run earnings, income, marital status, fertility and geographic mobility. We observe long-run outcomes by linking both admitted and non-admitted individuals to confidential administrative data including tax records. Funding for this preschool program comes from an Indigenous organization, which grants Indigenous students admissions preference and free tuition. We find treated children have between 5 to 6 percent higher earnings as young adults. The results are strongest for individuals from the lower half of the household income distribution in childhood. Likely mechanisms include high-quality teachers and curriculum.

Suggested Citation

  • Randall Akee & Leah R. Clark, 2023. "Universal Preschool Lottery Admissions and Its Effects on Long-Run Earnings and Outcomes," Working Papers 23-09, Center for Economic Studies, U.S. Census Bureau.
    • Handle: RePEc:cen:wpaper:23-09
    as

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    File URL: https://www2.census.gov/library/working-papers/2023/adrm/ces/CES-WP-23-09.pdf
    File Function: First version, 2023
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Children; Preschool; Returns to Education; Native Americans; Long-Run Outcomes; Income; Employment; Earnings; Wage Level;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I20 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - General
    • I21 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Analysis of Education
    • I24 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Education and Inequality
    • I26 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Returns to Education
    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity
    • J31 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs - - - Wage Level and Structure; Wage Differentials

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