Assessing the Benefits of Education in Early Childhood: Evidence from a Pre-K Lottery in Georgia. EdWorkingPaper No. 23-880

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Assessing the Benefits of Education in Early Childhood: Evidence from a Pre-K Lottery in Georgia. EdWorkingPaper No. 23-880
Language: English
Authors: Henry Woodyard, Tim R. Sass, Ishtiaque Fazlul, Annenberg Institute for School Reform at Brown University
Source: Annenberg Institute for School Reform at Brown University. 2023.
Availability: Annenberg Institute for School Reform at Brown University. Brown University Box 1985, Providence, RI 02912. Tel: 401-863-7990; Fax: 401-863-1290; e-mail: AISR_Info@brown.edu; Web site: http://www.annenberginstitute.org
Peer Reviewed: N
Page Count: 38
Publication Date: 2023
Document Type: Reports - Research
Education Level: Early Childhood Education
Preschool Education
Descriptors: Preschool Education, Academic Achievement, Educational Benefits, Experience, Adults, Outcomes of Education, Preschool Children
Geographic Terms: Georgia
Abstract: Numerous studies have demonstrated a strong link between participation in pre-K programs and both short-term student achievement and positive later-life outcomes. Existing evidence primarily stems from experimental studies of small-scale, high-quality programs conducted in the 1960s and 1970s and analyses of the federal Head Start program. Meanwhile, evidence on state-funded pre-K programs, with no income restrictions, is scant and inconclusive. Using enrollment lotteries for over-subscribed school-based sites in Georgia's universal pre-K program, we analyze the impact of participation on elementary school outcomes. Lottery winners enter kindergarten more prepared in both math and reading than non-winning peers. Gains fade by the end of kindergarten, and some negative achievement effects emerge by grade 4. Free-andreduced-price meal (FRPM) students benefit more compared to non-FRPM students in later grades, suggesting greater benefits from attendance for disadvantaged students. Although we find no effects for discipline, lottery winners had one fewer absence each grade after kindergarten.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2024
Accession Number: ED638879
Database: ERIC
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