In October 2013, Professor Heckman sent a letter to the congressional conference committee tasked with negotiating a budget deal by mid-December, urging the conferees to consider smart investments in early childhood development programs as part of their budget plan. He attached a letter he sent in the fall of 2011 to the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction.
Related Resources
Letter to the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction View Statement
A letter submitted to the Congressional Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction from Professor Heckman, outlining why investments in early childhood development increase productivity and reduce deficits.
Invest in Early Childhood Development: Reduce Deficits, Strengthen the Economy View Summary
In this two-page summary document, Professor Heckman argues that the best way to reduce deficits is to invest in quality early childhood development for disadvantaged children. It creates better education, health, social and economic outcomes that increase revenue and reduce the need for costly social spending. “The highest rate of return in early childhood development…
Understanding the Mechanisms through Which an Influential Early Childhood Program Boosted Adult Outcomes View Academic Paper
Published in October 2013, research from Professor Heckman, Rodrigo Pinto (University of Chicago) and Peter Savelyev (Vanderbilt University) revealed that non-cognitive skill development, not IQ enhancement, is the primary factor underlying the success of high-quality early childhood education. A summary of the research findings and their implications can be found here.
2015 Water Cooler Conference Presentation Watch Video
On March 23, 2015, Professor Heckman gave the keynote address at the annual California Early Learning Water Cooler Conference, hosted by the Advancement Project. Drawing on new and longitudinal research, Professor Heckman made the case for refocusing public policy on cost-efficient evidence-based investments in young children and families to reap significant social and economic benefits,…