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Professor Heckman and colleagues find 13% ROI for comprehensive, high-quality, birth-to-five early education. This research analyzes a wide variety of life outcomes, such as health, crime, income, IQ, schooling, and the increase in a mother’s income after returning to work due to childcare. ABC/CARE collected data on the participants throughout childhood and well into adulthood, allowing for an in-depth analysis of long-term effects in multiple dimensions of human development. This ROI, representing high-quality, comprehensive programs from birth to five, is substantially higher than the 7-10% return previously established for preschool programs serving 3- to 4-year-olds.

This toolkit provides background information and supporting materials related to the new research. Materials include the academic paper, an executive summary, and FAQ.

You may also download individual resources below.

• Academic paper. The academic paper provides in-depth explanations behind the health benefits and the 13% ROI that high-quality, comprehensive, early childhood programs provide.

• Summary one-pager. The summary of Professor Heckman’s academic paper provides the key points and takeaways from the research, as well as high-level explanations of the data.

• FAQ. Frequently asked questions regarding the research, ranging from an explanation about how the 13% ROI was determined to clarifications around experiment criticisms.

• Share graphic. “Comprehensive, quality early learning results in better outcomes for females: more years of education, higher graduation rates, high adult employment/income, high parental income”

• Share graphic. “Quality childcare helps grow their income and children grow smarter”

• Share graphic. “ABC/Care shows permanent gains in IQ—driving a wide range of better outcomes”

• Share graphic. “High-quality birth-to-five programs for disadvantaged children can deliver a 13% return on investment”

• Share graphic. “Comprehensive, quality early learning results in better outcomes for males: more education, better health, high employment/income”

• Share graphic. “Comprehensive, quality early learning results in better health outcomes for males: lower blood pressure, lower adult hypertension, lower drug use”

• Share graphic. “Highlights of the five outcomes associated with high-quality, birth-to-five early childhood education in infographic form.”

• ABC/Care Cost-Benefit Analysis Briefing Presentation. This webinar explains Professor Heckman’s research from the ABC/CARE cost-benefit analysis with specific emphasis on health, early learning outcomes, and quality standards for early learning programs.