Scandinavian Working Papers in Economics
Working Paper Series, Center for Labor Studies,
Uppsala University, Department of Economics
No 2012:6: Long Term Impacts of Compensatory Preschool on Health and Behavior: Evidence from Head Start
Pedro Carneiro and Rita Ginja ()
Additional contact information
Pedro Carneiro: University College London,, Postal: Centre for Microdata Methods and Practice,, Institute for Fiscal Studies,, and Georgetown University
Rita Ginja: Uppsala Center for Labor Studies, Postal: Department of Economics, Uppsala University, P.O. Box 513, SE-751 20 Uppsala, Sweden
Abstract: This paper provides new estimates of the medium and long-term impacts of Head Start on the health and behavioral problems of its participants. We identify these impacts using discontinuities in the probability of participation induced by program eligibility rules. Our strategy allows us to identify the effect of Head Start for the set of individuals in the neighborhoods of multiple discontinuities, which vary with family size, state and year (as opposed to a smaller set of individuals neighboring a single discontinuity). Participation in the program reduces the incidence of behavioral problems, serious health problems and obesity of male children at ages 12 and 13. It also lowers depression and obesity among adolescents, and reduces engagement in criminal activities for young adults.
Keywords: Regression discontinuity design; early childhood development; non-cognitive skills; Head Start
84 pages, February 13, 2012
Full text files
136570_20126.pdf
- Published as
- Pedro Carneiro and Rita Ginja, (2014), 'Long Term Impacts of Compensatory Preschool on Health and Behavior: Evidence from Head Start', American Economic Journal: Economic Policy, vol 6, no 4, pages 135-173
Questions (including download problems) about the papers in this series should be directed to Katarina Grönvall ()
Report other problems with accessing this service to Sune Karlsson ().
RePEc:hhs:uulswp:2012_006This page generated on 2024-09-13 22:17:29.