The Causal Effects of the Denver Preschool Program’s Tuition Credit on Children’s Kindergarten Readiness

• In Event: Early Learning and Development: Tools, Contexts, and Outcomes

Abstract

The Denver Preschool Program (DPP) is a taxpayer-funded initiative that provides a tuition credit to all families of 4-year old children living in Denver to attend a high-quality preschool. Using a regression discontinuity design, this pilot study finds the tuition credit had strong positive effects on children’s ability to recognize printed letters and words, to regulate their emotions and impulses, and to engage in positive behaviors related to self-regulation, initiative, and positive attachment relationships with adults. The tuition credit also had moderately beneficial effects on children’s receptive vocabulary, working memory, and challenging behaviors. The results suggest that providing tuition credits is a promising strategy to ensure children start school with the skills needed to thrive in elementary school.

Authors

• Vi-Nhuan Le, NORC at the University of Chicago

• Diana Schaack, University of Colorado - Denver

• Cristal Cisneros, Denver Preschool Program

• Jolene Castillo Gregory, Denver Public Schools