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Prep School for Poor Kids: The Long-Run Impacts of Head Start on Human Capital and Economic Self-Sufficiency

Author

Listed:
  • Martha Bailey

    (University of Michigan, National Bureau of Economic Research)

  • Shuqiao Sun
  • Brenden Timpe

    (University of Nebraska)

Abstract

This paper evaluates the long-run effects of Head Start using large-scale, restricted 2000-2018 Census-ACS data linked to the SSA's Numident file, which contains exact date and county of birth. Using the county rollout of Head Start between 1965 and 1980 and age-eligibility cutoffs for school entry, we find that Head Start generated large increases in adult human capital and economic self-sufficiency, including a 0.65-year increase in schooling, a 2.7-percent increase in high-school completion, an 8.5-percent increase in college enrollment, and a 39-percent increase in college completion. These estimates imply sizable, long-term returns to public investments in large-scale preschool programs.

Suggested Citation

  • Martha Bailey & Shuqiao Sun & Brenden Timpe, 2021. "Prep School for Poor Kids: The Long-Run Impacts of Head Start on Human Capital and Economic Self-Sufficiency," Working Papers 2021-031, Human Capital and Economic Opportunity Working Group.
    • Handle: RePEc:hka:wpaper:2021-031
    Note: MIP
    as

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    File URL: http://humcap.uchicago.edu/RePEc/hka/wpaper/Bailey_Sun_Timpe_2021_prep-school-poor-kids.pdf
    File Function: First version, April 26, 2021
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    File URL: http://humcap.uchicago.edu/RePEc/hka/wpaper/Bailey_Sun_Timpe_2021_APPENDIX_prep-school-poor-kids.pdf
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Census; SSA; schooling completion; public investment;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I20 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - General
    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity
    • J60 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Mobility, Unemployment, Vacancies, and Immigrant Workers - - - General

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