| Title: |
Comparing the School Readiness Skills of Public Pre-Kindergarten and Head Start Participants: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. EdWorkingPaper No. 23-740 |
| Language: |
English |
| Authors: |
Robert C. Carr; Margaret R. Burchinal; Lynne Vernon-Feagans; Annenberg Institute for School Reform at Brown University |
| Source: |
Annenberg Institute for School Reform at Brown University. 2023. |
| Availability: |
Annenberg Institute for School Reform at Brown University. Brown University Box 1985, Providence, RI 02912. Tel: 401-863-7990; Fax: 401-863-1290; e-mail: annenberg@brown.edu; Web site: https://annenberg.brown.edu/ |
| Peer Reviewed: |
N |
| Page Count: |
53 |
| Publication Date: |
2023 |
| Sponsoring Agency: |
Administration for Children and Families (DHHS), Office of Planning, Research and Evaluation (OPRE) |
| Contract Number: |
90YR01070100 |
| Document Type: |
Information Analyses |
| Education Level: |
Early Childhood Education; Elementary Education; Kindergarten; Primary Education |
| Descriptors: |
Low Income Students; Federal Programs; Social Services; Preschool Children; Kindergarten; Public Education; School Readiness; Literature Reviews; Meta Analysis; Language Skills; Mathematics Skills; Interpersonal Competence; Emergent Literacy |
| Laws, Policies and Program Identifiers: |
Head Start |
| Abstract: |
A systematic review of the literature (1965-2022) and meta-analysis were undertaken to compare the school readiness skills of children participating in public pre-kindergarten (pre-K) or Head Start. Seven quasi-experimental studies met the inclusion criteria for the meta-analysis and 38 effect sizes were analyzed. Results indicated no reliable meta-analytic effect in relation to children's school readiness skills overall nor in relation to language, mathematics, or social-behavioral skills specifically. A small, positive meta-analytic effect favoring public pre-K compared to Head Start participation was found in relation to children's emergent literacy skills (Hedges' g = 0.17). Strategies are discussed to further equate the benefits of public pre-K and Head Start programming by facilitating greater cross-sector collaboration. |
| Abstractor: |
As Provided |
| Entry Date: |
2025 |
| Accession Number: |
ED672301 |
| Database: |
ERIC |