Estimating the Production Function for Human Capital: Results from a Randomized Control Trial in Colombia

Authors:
  • OAOrazio Attanasio
    Orazio Attanasio
  • SCSarah Cattan
    Sarah Cattan
  • EFEmla Fitzsimons
    Emla Fitzsimons
  • CMCostas Meghir
    Costas Meghir
  • MRMarta Rubio-Codina
    Marta Rubio-Codina
Preprint
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  • 1 January 2015
Abstract
We examine the channels through which a randomized early childhood intervention in Colombia led to signi?cant gains in cognitive and socio-emotional skills among a sample of disadvantaged children aged 12 to 24 months at baseline. We estimate the determinants of parents’ material and time investments in these children and evaluate the impact of the treatment on such investments. We then estimate the production functions for cognitive and socio-emotional skills. The e?ects of the program can be explained by increases in parental investments, emphasizing the importance of parenting interventions at an early age.
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