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  3. American Economic Journal: Applied Economics
  4. January 2019
  5. Early Childhood Education by Television: Lessons from Sesame Street

Early Childhood Education by Television: Lessons from Sesame Street

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Abstract

We investigate whether preschool-age children exposed to Sesame Street when it aired in 1969 experienced improved educational and labor market outcomes. We exploit geographic variation in broadcast reception derived from technological factors, namely UHF versus VHF transmission. This variation is then related to Census data on grade-for-age status, educational attainment, and labor market outcomes. The results indicate that Sesame Street improved school performance, particularly for boys. The point estimates for long-term educational and labor market outcomes are generally imprecise.

Citation

Kearney, Melissa S., and Phillip B. Levine. 2019. "Early Childhood Education by Television: Lessons from Sesame Street." American Economic Journal: Applied Economics, 11 (1): 318-50. DOI: 10.1257/app.20170300

Additional Materials

JEL Classification

  • I21 Analysis of Education
  • I26 Returns to Education
  • J13 Fertility; Family Planning; Child Care; Children; Youth
  • J24 Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity
  • L82 Entertainment; Media
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