Preschool benefits both attendees and non-attendees

This study examines spillover benefits from preschool.

The author estimates the effects by CDEP-eligibility status of CDEP exposure (residing in a CDEP district after launch at age four) on test scores. I find that CDEP benefits its targeted population and increases the math and reading scores of exposed, CDEP-ineligible students by about 0.13 and 0.14 standard deviations, respectively.

These spillover effects may stem, in whole or in part, from improvements to classroom decorum via fewer behavioral disruptions.

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