At the height of the Great Recession, this video from Professor Heckman illustrates his idea that investing in early childhood development was a smart way to create a stronger economy. Heckman notes that politicians who want to invest in infrastructure as a way to boost the economy would find far greater returns from investing in people…
Topic: ROI
The Urgency of Now Watch Video
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…
The Essential Growth Strategy: Investing in Early Childhood Education Watch Video
Investing in Our Children for Great Returns Watch Video
Professor Heckman Challenges America to Invest in Its Greatest Resource: Its People Watch Video
How to Use Professor Heckman’s Work View Summary
This is a two-page message framework advocates can use to motivate policymakers and other influentials to invest in quality early childhood education for disadvantaged children. This resource can be used as a guide for crafting persuasive talking points to business leaders, policymakers or other potential advocates. The Message: Nobel Memorial Prize Laureate Professor James Heckman…
The Case for Investing in Disadvantaged Young Children View Academic Paper
In this 10-page excerpt from “Big Ideas for Children: Investing in Our Nation’s Future,” Professor Heckman discusses his early findings on the need for early childhood education and the economic benefits of providing it. Written while Heckman and his team were still analyzing the economic returns from the Perry Preschool project, it provides the foundation…
Heckman Equation Flyer View Summary
This flyer provides the basic argument for investing in early childhood education for disadvantaged children and explains The Heckman Equation: Invest, Develop, Sustain and Gain. 1. Intelligence and social skills are set at an early age—and both are essential for success. Many major economic and social problems in America—crime, teenage pregnancy, high school dropout rates,…
The American Family in Black and White: A Post-Racial Strategy for Improving Skills to Promote Equality View Academic Paper
A Daedalus Special Issue written by Professor Heckman and published in January 2011.