This paper evaluates the long-run effects of Head Start using large-scale, restricted administrative data. Using the county roll-out of Head Start between 1965 and 1980 and age-eligibility cutoffs for school entry, we find that Head Start generated large increases in adult human capital and economic self-sufficiency, including a 0. 65-year increase in schooling, a 2.7 percent increase in high school completion, an 8.5 percent increase in college enrollment, and a 39 percent increase in college completion. These estimates imply sizable, long-term returns to investments in means-tested, public preschool programs. (JEL I21, I26, I28, I38, J24)

中文翻译：

---

贫困儿童预科学校：启蒙运动对人力资本和经济自给自足的长期影响

本文使用大规模、受限的行政数据评估了 Head Start 的长期影响。使用 1965 年至 1980 年间县推出的启蒙教育和入学年龄资格截止，我们发现启蒙教育极大地增加了成人人力资本和经济自给自足，包括 0. 65 年的受教育年限，高中完成率增加 2.7%，大学入学率增加 8.5%，大学完成率增加 39%。这些估计意味着对经过经济状况调查的公立学前教育项目的投资可以获得可观的长期回报。(JEL I21, I26, I28, I38, J24)