In today's global economy, the demand for high-skilled labor is high. But as demand has increased, the rate at which America has produced high-skilled labor has decreased. Investing in early childhood education ensures that America can meet the demand.
Related Resources
Invest in Early Childhood Development: Reduce Deficits, Strengthen the Economy View Summary
In this two-page summary document, Professor Heckman argues that the best way to reduce deficits is to invest in quality early childhood development for disadvantaged children. It creates better education, health, social and economic outcomes that increase revenue and reduce the need for costly social spending. “The highest rate of return in early childhood development…
Early Childhood Education Has a High Rate of Return Watch Video
A video excerpt of a 2010 speech Professor Heckman gave to business leaders and policymakers in Chicago. He states that quality early childhood education programs for disadvantaged children have high rates of return and warrant public investment. His presentation is followed by testimonials from business leaders and policymakers who talk about the value they see…
Labor market returns to an early childhood stimulation intervention in Jamaica (2014) View Academic Paper
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…
Lacking Character, American Education Fails the Test View Summary
In this three-page brief, Professor Heckman argues that what we value and measure in American education doesn’t measure up to the true drivers of human and social success. Character skills often matter more than cognitive skills and calls for educating the whole child, from early learning through young adulthood. For decades, there has been a…