Published in the journal Science on May 30, 2014, a study by Professor Heckman, UC Berkeley economist Paul Gertler, and fellow researchers at the University of Chicago, the University of the West Indies, the World Bank and the University of London finds that a high-quality early childhood intervention boosted the earnings of disadvantaged children in Jamaica by 25%. View a research summary here.
Related Resources
Research Summary: The Jamaican Study (2021 Update) View Summary
New research published in the National Bureau of Economic Research in 2021, following up on previous studies, demonstrates the continued beneficial impacts of home visiting programs, parent-child interactions and cognitive and social stimulation for infants and toddlers in closing the achievement gap and producing longterm economic gains. Originally published in the journal Science on May…
FAQ for The Lifecycle Benefits of an Influential Early Childhood Program View Summary
Frequently asked questions regarding the research from Lifecycle Benefits of an Influential Early Childhood Program, ranging from explanation to how the 13% ROI was determined to clarifications around experiment criticisms. For reference, the research paper can be found here, and a summary of the research can be read here. 1. Why is the ROI higher?…
Early Childhood Investments Substantially Boost Adult Health View Academic Paper
This 2014 Science article features an analysis of the health benefits derived from the North Carolina Abecedarian project in North Carolina, a birth-to-five early childhood education program that included early health, nutrition, and learning. Heckman and co-authors from the Frank Porter Graham Institute at the University of North Carolina find that comprehensive early childhood education boosts…