Assessing the Effects of Head Start Participation on Youths' Antisocial Outcomes

• In Event: School-Based Crime Prevention: Strategies for Youth Development

Abstract

The preventative effects of early childhood education (ECE) programs, in general, have been established in the literature, with enrolled youths, compared to those who did not partake in ECE programs, having significantly reduced criminal justice related outcomes, often far into adulthood (Schweinhart, 2005; Washington State Institute Public Policy, 2012). However, recent studies on Head Start- a widely implemented ECE program- have not consistently found such preventative effects or reduced antisocial outcomes (e.g. Schindler & Yoshikawa, 2012). This study intends to further explore this topic using data from the Rochester Intergenerational Study (RIGS). Comparing Head Start participating youths to non-participating youths, outcomes will be assessed at specific age intervals from school age to early adulthood and will include measures of antisocial behaviors and school performance. Potential mediators, such as parenting-related factors, will be included in the analyses. Results and implications for future research will be discussed.

Authors

• Marvin Krohn, University of Florida

• Molly Buchanan, University of Florida

• Beidi Dong, University of Florida