Parents’ Earnings and the Returns to Universal Pre-Kindergarten
Abstract
'This paper investigates the economic returns to universal pre-kindergarten (UPK) with a focus on parents' earnings. Utilizing a randomized lottery design, it estimates the impact of full-day UPK enrollment in New Haven, Connecticut. The findings highlight significant increases in parents' work hours and earnings, persisting for six years post-UPK. While UPK shows minimal impacts on children's academic outcomes, the economic returns are substantial, largely driven by parental earnings. Every $1 of net government expenditure generates $5.51 in after-tax benefits for families from earnings gains alone.'
Article- Coauthors: John Eric Humphries, Christopher Neilson, Xiaoyang Ye, Seth D. Zimmerman
- Published: NBER Working Paper No. 33038
- Date: 2024-10-01
