Head Start Impact Study: First Year Findings

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TITLE PAGE

AUTHORS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

LIST OF APPENDICES

LIST OF EXHIBITS

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

1. STUDY BACKGROUND

   The Congressional Mandate

   Study Objectives and Research Questions

   Overview of the Study Design and Implementation

   Sample Selection
   Random Assignment

   Data Collection

   Fall 2002 Data Collection
   Winter 2003 Parent Updates
   Spring 2003 Data Collection
   Future Data Collection
   Response Rate

   Contents of This Report

2. DESCRIPTION OF THE STUDY SAMPLE

   Representing the National Head Start Population

   The Success of Random Assignment

   Comparing Head Start and Non-Head Start Children at Baseline

   Deviations from Random Assignment

   Characteristics of the Year 1 Study Sample

3. CHILDREN'S EXPERIENCES

   Highlights

   Impact Findings
   Descriptive Findings

   Impact on Children's Early Care Settings

   Data and Methods

   Impact on Children's Spring 2003 Focal Arrangements

   Exposure to Head Start or Center-Based Care in Fall 2002 and/or Spring 2003
   Stability of Children's Settings

   Description of Center-Based Classroom Environments

   The Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale - Revised
   Arnett Scale of Lead Teacher Behavior

   Teacher Activities and Curriculum

   Language and Literacy Activities
   Math Activities
   Other Types of Activities
   Use of Curriculum

4. OVERVIEW OF METHODS FOR ANALYZING IMPACTS ON CHILDREN AND FAMILIES

   Purpose of Interim Analysis

   Outcome Domains and Measures

   Creation of Test Score and Scales

   The Analysis Sample

   Methods of Estimating Head Start Impacts

   Difference in Average Outcomes
   Outcomes Adjusted for Fall 2002 Demographic Characteristics
   Outcomes Adjusted for Initial Fall “Starting Points”

   Presentation of Results

   Analysis of Subgroups and Moderating Factors

   Estimating the Impact of Program Participation

   An Experimentally Based Strategy of Estimation

   Adjusting for Head Start Participation by Members of the Non-Head Start Sample

   Presentation of Results for Participants and Adjusted for Crossovers

5. IMPACT OF HEAD START ON CHILDREN'S COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT

   Highlights

   Organization and Presentation of Findings

   Estimated Impact of Access to Head Start

   Impact on Pre-Reading Skills
   Impact on Pre-Writing Skills
   Impacts on Vocabulary Knowledge
   Impacts on Oral Comprehension and Phonological Awareness
   Impact on Early Math Skills
   Impact on Parent Perceptions of Children's Emerging Literacy Skills

   Moderator/Subgroup Differences

   Differences in Impact
   Impacts on Particular Subgroups

6. IMPACT OF HEAD START ON CHILDREN'S SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT

   Highlights

   Organization and Presentation of Findings

   Estimated Impact of Access to Head Start

   Impact on Social Skills and Positive Approaches to Learning
   Impact on Problem Behavior

   Moderator/Subgroup Differences

   Impacts on Particular Subgroups

7. IMPACT OF HEAD START ON CHILDREN'S HEALTH STATUS AND ACCESS TO HEALTH SERVICES

   Highlights

   Organization and Presentation of Findings

   Estimated Impact of Access to Head Start

   Moderator/Subgroup Differences

   Differences in Impact
   Impacts on Particular Subgroups

8. IMPACT OF HEAD START ON PARENTING PRACTICES

   Highlights

   Introduction

   Organization and Presentation of Findings

   Estimated Impact of Access to Head Start

   Educational Activities
   Disciplinary Practices
   Safety Practices

   Moderator/Subgroup Differences

   Differences in Impact

   Impacts on Particular Subgroups

APPENDICES

Appendix 1.1 - Section 649(G) of the Head Start Act, 1998 (PL 105-285)

Appendix 1.2 - Calculating Analytical Sampling Weights for Fall 2002 and Spring 2003

Appendix 1.3 – Language Decision Form

Appendix 1.4 - Citations for Child Assessments, Scales, and Observation Instruments

Appendix 2.1 - Comparison of Head Start Grantees/Delegate Agencies and Centers in Saturated and Non-Saturated Communities

Appendix 2.2 - Determination of Head Start Participation

Appendix 2.3 - The Racial/Ethnic Composition of the Study Sample

Appendix 3.1 - Differences between Main Arrangement and Focal Arrangement

Appendix 4.1 - Imputations for Item Nonresponse in the Fall 2002 Data

Appendix 4.2 - Comparison of Weighted and Unweighted Mean Differences by Age Cohort.

Appendix 4.3 - Impact Regression Procedures

Appendix 4.4 - Measures Of Fall 2002 “Starting Points” Used in the Regression Models, by Child and Parent Outcomes

Appendix 4.5 - Tests for Lack of Impact of Head Start on Demographic and Developmental Factors Measured in Fall 2002

Appendix 4.6 - Basis for Assuming That Non-Participants Experienced No Intervention Effects

Appendix 5.1 - Cognitive Domain, Estimated Impact on Program Participants

Appendix 5.2 - Factors That Moderate the Impact of Head Start: Detailed Tables for Cognitive Outcomes

Appendix 6.1 - Social-Emotional Domain Estimated Impact on Program Participants

Appendix 6.2 - Factors That Moderate the Impact of Head Start: Detailed Tables for Social-Emotional Outcomes

Appendix 7.1 - Health Domain, Estimated Impact of Program Participation

Appendix 7.2 - Factors That Moderate the Impact of Head Start: Detailed Tables for Health Outcomes

Appendix 8.1 - Parenting Practices Domain, Estimated Impact of Program Participation

Appendix 8.2 - Factors That Moderate the Impact of Head Start: Detailed Tables for Parenting Outcomes