Study suggests Head Start advantages dwindle after preschool 

A third grade follow-up to the Head Start Impact Study (HSIS) has been completed, and findings show few lasting impacts of the program on children in kindergarten through 3rd grade. 

The study included nearly 5,000 newly entering, eligible 3- and 4-year-old children who were randomly assigned to either: (1) a Head Start group that had access to Head Start program services or (2) a control group that did not have access to Head Start, but could enroll in other early childhood programs or non-Head Start services selected by their parents. Data collection began in fall 2002 and continued through 2008, following children from program application through the spring of their 3rd grade year.

Evidence from the study showed initial positive impacts from having access to Head Start, but by the end of 3rd grade, there were very few impacts found in any of four key program domains: cognitive development, social-emotional development, health status and services, and parenting practices. The few impacts that were found did not show a clear pattern of favorable or unfavorable impacts for children.