@article{d97a5c34d0f24399bddf9aaefab753f7,
title = "Can Research Design Explain Variation in Head Start Research Results? A Meta-Analysis of Cognitive and Achievement Outcomes",
abstract = "This study explores the extent to which differences in research design explain variation in Head Start program impacts. We employ meta-analytic techniques to predict effect sizes for cognitive and achievement outcomes as a function of the type and rigor of research design, quality and type of outcome measure, activity level of control group, and attrition. Across program evaluations, the average program-level effect size was 0.27 standard deviations. About 41% of the variation in estimates across evaluations can be explained by research design features, including the extent to which the control group experienced other forms of early care or education, and 11% of the variation within programs can be explained by the quality and type of the outcome measures.",
keywords = "Head Start, meta-analysis, program evaluation",
author = "Shager, {Hilary M.} and Schindler, {Holly S.} and Magnuson, {Katherine A.} and Duncan, {Greg J.} and Hirokazu Yoshikawa and Hart, {Cassandra M D}",
note = "Funding Information: The authors disclosed receipt of the following financial support for the research and/or authorship of this article: We are grateful to the following funders of the National Forum on Early Childhood Policy and Programs: the Birth to Five Policy Alliance, the Buffett Early Childhood Fund, Casey Family Programs, the McCormick Tribune Foundation, the Norlien Foundation, Harvard University, and an Anonymous Donor. We are also grateful to the Institute of Education Sciences, US Department of Education for supporting this research (#R305A110035), to Abt Associates, Inc. and the National Institute for Early Education Research for making their data available to us. Shager's work on this project was supported by the Institute of Education Sciences, U.S. Department of Education grant to the University of Wisconsin-Madison (#R305C050055). ",
year = "2013",
month = mar,
doi = "10.3102/0162373712462453",
language = "English (US)",
volume = "35",
pages = "76--95",
journal = "Educational Evaluation and Policy Analysis",
issn = "0162-3737",
publisher = "SAGE Publications Inc.",
number = "1",
}