Giving Kids a Fair Chance

by James J. Heckman

A top economist weighs in on one of the most urgent questions of our What is the source of inequality and what is the remedy? In Giving Kids a Fair Chance , Nobel Prize-winning economist James Heckman argues that the accident of birth is the greatest source of inequality in America today. Children born into disadvantage are, by the time they start kindergarten, already at risk of dropping out of school, teen pregnancy, crime, and a lifetime of low-wage work. This is bad for all those born into disadvantage and bad for American society. Current social and education policies directed toward children focus on improving cognition, yet success in life requires more than smarts. Heckman calls for a refocus of social policy toward early childhood interventions designed to enhance both cognitive abilities and such non-cognitive skills as confidence and perseverance. This new focus on preschool intervention would emphasize improving the early environments of disadvantaged children and increasing the quality of parenting while respecting the primacy of the family and America's cultural diversity. Heckman shows that acting early has much greater positive economic and social impact than later interventions—which range from reduced pupil-teacher ratios to adult literacy programs to expenditures on police—that draw the most attention in the public policy debate. At a time when state and local budgets for early interventions are being cut, Heckman issues an urgent call for action and offers some practical steps for how to design and pay for new programs. The debate that follows delves deeply into some of the most fraught questions of our the sources of inequality, the role of schools in solving social problems, and how to invest public resources most effectively. Mike Rose, Geoffrey Canada, Charles Murray, Carol Dweck, Annette Lareau, and other prominent experts participate.

Genres: Economics, Nonfiction, Education, Childrens

147 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2013

Reviews

[Justin Rabbach · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great look into arguments (and counter arguments) of prioritizing early childhood interventions to "level the playing field". Particularly interesting is a discussion on using these strategies to avoid a later "redistribution of wealth" by creating a world that naturally results in a "pre-distribution" of that wealth.

[Hadis Uma · Rating 3 out of 5]

เป็นหนังสือว่าด้วยการแทรกแซงระบบปฐมศึกษา
โดยเอางานวิจัยที่ทดลองกับเด็กจากผู้มีรายได้น้อยเป็นระยะเวลากว่า 40 ปี

หนังสือจะแบ่งเป็น 3 part หลัก ๆ คือ
1. part ของการอธิบายเรื่องการแซกแทรกระบบปฐมวัย ด้วยการเอางานวิจัย เอาสถิติมานำเสนอ
2. เป็น part ที่มีนักวิชาการจากหลาย ๆ สาขา (อ่านเพิ่มเติมได้ท้ายเล่มว่าเป็นใครมาจากไหนกันบ้าง) มาวิพากษ์วิจารณ์งานวิจัยดังกล่าว
3. อันนี้เป็น part ที่เจ้าของหนังสือออกมาโต้แย้งข้อวิพากษ์ทั้งหมด (เสียดายสั้นไปหน่อย)

ที่ให้ 3 ดาวเพราะรู้สึกว่าเนื้อหามันน้อยไปหน่อย
ถ้าเล่มใหญ่กว่านี้ หนากว่านี้ เชื่อว่าคงทำให้เข้าถึงหนังสือได้มากกว่านี้

[Alec Monnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heckman makes effective and, frankly, depressing critiques of the ability of late stage educational interventions to improve people’s life outcomes. He persuasively argues that noncognitive skills, which can be most easily developed through early childhood interventions, are important in determining life outcomes (not strictly limited to money, but also to factors that have intergenerational implications, like teenage poverty rates and rates of incarceration).

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This quick read presents the arguments, from economic and humanitarian standpoints, as to why society should invest in caring for its very young and providing preventative services to the highest risk families in order to better the outcomes for these families and for the economic well-being of the US. Rebuttals are also provided to suggest other strategies and highlight both the strengths and weaknesses in Heckman's arguments, ultimately drawing similar conclusions as a whole that society would do best to focus on its most underrepresented population by providing supportive services and preventative measures for families and infants. I appreciated the brevity in order to be able to digest the various arguments and keep the information consolidated in one reading; Heckman makes a powerful point in the investment of the young in order to prevent later costs for society in life problems and health concerns.

[Usanisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

หนังสือเล่มนี้เขียนขึ้นโดยสรุปปาฐกถาเกี่ยวกับแนวทางส่งเสริมความเท่าเทียมโดยมุ่งพัฒนาเดกในสังคมด้อยโอกาศในช่วงปฐมวัย ของ เจมส เฮกเกอร์แมน
บทแรกคือข้อเสนอของ มร. เฮกเกอร์แมน ตามด้วยบทวิจารณ์และข้อคิดเห็นเพิ่มเติมโดยนักวิชาการท่านอื่นๆ
สาระที่จะสื่อมีประเด็นที่น่าสนใจแต่โดยรวมแล้วด้วยความที่รวบรวมจากการปาฐกถาเสนอทฤษฎีและผลการวิจัย ทำให้หนังสือโดยเฉพาะการอ่านบทงิจารณ์ช่วงหลัง น่าเบื่อและวนซ้ำๆกับข้อเสนอ

[Marsha28 · Rating 2 out of 5]

2,5 STARS

So, because I'm 6 months pregnant, I think it's time to read more parenting book. At least once a month.

It's not a bad book. I give it low rating because its content is not what I expected.

[Abu Shaikh · Rating 4 out of 5]

The style of content where Heckman puts his core argument across and subsequently goes on to represent the counter arguments is really cool. it makes the reading experience very sound

[Amanda Miranda-Flores · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the original analysis and Heckman’s work in general. I also appreciated having multiple critics chime in and H addressing each in kind. It made for a hopeful read.

[Hugo Salas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great insights from two early childhood programs that worked really well. However, according to latest research, it seems like these don't scale as easily

[Noemi Kuban · Rating 2 out of 5]

a crucial topic, some good points, but you absolutely do not need to pick this one up.

[Diego · Rating 4 out of 5]

James Heckman hace una propuesta que busca combatir la desigualdad desde uno de sus puntos iniciales, la niñez.

Con este fin Heckman elabora un argumento que pasa por las evaluaciones de dos programas paradigmaticos en la atención de niños de 0 a 5 años, los del proyecto Abecedarian y la escuela Perry. De acuerdo con Heckman estos experimentos lograron tener efectos positivos que cambiaron dramáticamente los resultados de sus poblaciones tratadas a lo largo de su vida.

La propuesta de Heckman puede ser resumida en la de dar una mejor atención en términos nutricionales, de atención y de educación a los niños de 0 a 5 años, con el fin de estimularlos y desarrollar habilidades que luego les permitirán aprovechar las oportunidades que se les presenten a lo largo de su vida. La propuesta de Heckman es la de intervenciones públicas que destinen más recursos a este periodo de la vida y menos a redistribuciones futuras, argumentando que no existe conflicto entre igualdad y eficiencia en este tipo de inversiones.

La propuesta de Heckman es buena, sin embargo no escapa de algunas criticas en la segunda mitad del libro, que consta de una serie de ensayos escritos por académicos en el campo de la educación que analizan las ideas expresadas por Heckman.

Entre las criticas que son más importantes están la de Mike Rose, que le pide al autor no olvidar las causas estructurales de la desigualdad y la importancia que tiene la redistribución en la generación de igualdad de oportunidades; la de Robin West, sobre la oposición política por parte de la derecha política en Estados Unidos y como puede llevar a mayores intromisiones en la educación pública y la de Charles Murray, quien cita las llamadas "leyes metálicas" del sociólogo Peter Rossi para argumentar que entre mejor diseñadas sean las evaluaciones de impacto, se encontrara que difícilmente tienen impacto programas sociales del tamaño como lo que propone Heckman.

Es un libro pequeño y de fácil lectura, muy útil en el contexto de la discusión de reformas educativas como ocurre en México y que aleja la discusión de temas como los resultados de pruebas Pisa y los pone en los aspectos neurológicos y psicológicos de la educación y su rol para generar igualdad de oportunidades.

[Kay · Rating 3 out of 5]

Small book, big ideas.

[Bob Duke · Rating 5 out of 5]

An optimistic book on how the problems can be dealt with. The main thrust of Heckman's argument is that a persons chances in life are largely and accident of birth. This accident of birth determines the nurture that you will receive in your early years. This nurture leads to the development of the non cognitive skills that enable you to succeed in life. Well worth a read for anyone who is concerned about social issues.

[Jimmy Wambua · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good debate

The arguments given in this book are thought provoking for interventionist in low income early care programs. It's a positive scepticism about an important subject with little scientific evidence of its efficacy. It's important to be aware of the arguments out there concerning early interventions. It helps one make up their mind

[Jorgen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the subject matter a good deal. However, what is really striking about this book is the format. The author makes his argument, and then allows many experts in the field to critique and respond.