Working Paper: NBER ID: w4406
Authors: Janet Currie; Duncan Thomas
Abstract: Although there is a broad hi-partisan support for Head Start, the evidence of positive longterm effects of the program is not overwhelming. Using data from the National Longitudinal Survey's Child-Mother file, we examine the impact of the program on a range of child outcomes. We compare non-parametric estimates of program effects with estimates from parametric models that control for selection by including mother fixed effects. This comparison suggests that studies that ignore selection can be substantially misleading; it also suggests that the impact of selection differs considerably across racial and ethnic groups. After controlling for selection, we find positive and persistent effects of participation in Head Start on the test scores of white and Hispanic children. These children are also less likely to have repeated a grade. We find no effects on the test scores or schooling attainment of African-American children. White children who attend Head Start are more likely to receive a measles shot, while African-American enrollees receive measles shots at an earlier age. African-American children who attend Head Start are also taller than their siblings. In a sample of the children's mothers, we find evidence that whites who attended Head Start as children are taller and have higher AFQT scores than their siblings who did not
Keywords: Head Start; child outcomes; racial differences; education; health
JEL Codes: I28; J13
Edges that are evidenced by causal inference methods are in orange, and the rest are in light blue.
| Cause | Effect |
|---|---|
| Head Start participation (I21) | positive effects on test scores of white and Hispanic children (I24) |
| Head Start participation (I21) | reduction in grade repetition for white and Hispanic children (I24) |
| Head Start participation (white children) (I24) | higher likelihood of receiving vaccinations (I18) |
| Head Start participation (African American children) (I24) | earlier age of receiving vaccinations (I19) |
| Head Start participation (African American children) (I24) | taller than siblings (Y80) |
| Head Start participation (white individuals) (I24) | higher AFQT scores compared to siblings (J45) |
| Head Start participation (white individuals) (I24) | greater height compared to siblings (J19) |
| Head Start participation (I21) | no significant effects on test scores or schooling attainment of African American children (I24) |