Cross-sectional Studies

Methodology

Population

Intensity of Treatment

Peer Reviewed

Loeb, Susanna, Margaret Bridges, Daphna Bassok, Bruce Fuller, & Russell W. Rumberger (2007)

How much is too much? The influence of

preschool centers on children's social and

cognitive development,

Economics of Education Review, 26(1), 52-66.

Ordinary Least Squares Regression for observations at kindergarten entry

Data from the Early Childhood

Longitudinal Study

varies by program

peer reviewed

Gormley, Jr., William T., Ted Gayer, Deborah Phillips, & Brittany Dawson (2005)

The Effects of Universal Pre-K on

Cognitive Development,

Developmental Psychology, 41(6), 872-884.

compares “young” kindergarten children who just completed pre-K to “old” pre-K children just beginning pre-K

1,567 pre-K children and 1,461

kindergarten children; a diverse group

of Oklahoma children

half-day and full-day 4-year-old kindergarten classes; teachers must have bachelor's degree and early childhood certificate

peer reviewed

Love, John M., Ellen Eliason Kisker, Christine

Ross, and others (2005)

The Effectiveness of Early Head Start for

3-Year-Old Children and Their Parents:

Lessons for Policy and Programs,

Developmental Psychology, 41(6), 885-901.

study conducted at age 3

1,513 program families and 1,488 control group families.  These families were from

17 programs across the nation

home visits, child care, case management, parenting education, health care and referrals, and family support; program for children from before birth to age 3

peer reviewed

Belfield, Clive R., with Patrick McEwan (2004)

An Economic Analysis of Investments in Early Childhood Education in Massachusetts,

Strategies for Children, Inc., Boston, MA.

economic analysis with evidence from Massachusetts

uses economic theory and estimated costs and fiscal benefits for Massachusetts for

two years of high quality, state funded, universal preschool; estimates of benefits are conservative

pre-K available to all children for 2 years prior to kindergarten

Strategies for Children is not a non-partisan organization, but these are respected authors