Does Head Start Make a Difference?

Abstract

Data from a national sample of children are used to investigate the effects of participation in Head Start on a range of child outcomes. In order to control for selection into the program comparisons are drawn between siblings and also between the relative benefits associated with attending Head Start on one hand and other preschools on the other. There are large and significant gains associated with attending Head Start as measured by test scores. This is true relative to children who attend no preschool and also relative to those who attend other preschools. There are also important racial differences in these benefits. Both Whites and African-Americans experience initial gains in test scores as a result of participation in Head Start. But among African-Americans the gains are quickly lost whereas for Whites the gains persist well into adulthood. As a result perhaps Head Start significantly reduces the probability that a White child will repeat a grade but has no effect on grade repetition among African-American children. In contrast relative to children who attend no preschool both Whites and African-Americans gain greater access to preventive health services as measured by immunization rates although children who attend other preschools enjoy similar benefits. (authors)