Question

The Abecedarian Project is a randomized controlled study to assess the effects of intensive early childhood education on children who were at high risk based on several sociodemographic indicators. The project randomly assigned some children to a treatment group that was provided with early educational activities before kindergarten and the remainder to a control group. A recent follow-up study interviewed subjects at age 30 and evaluated educational, economic, and socioemotional outcomes to learn if the positive effects of the program continued into adulthood. The follow-up study included 52 individuals from the treatment group and 49 from the control group. Out of these, 39 from the treatment group and 26 from the control group were considered “consistently” employed (working 30+ hours per week in at least 18 of the 24 months prior to the interview). Does the study provide significant evidence that children who had early childhood education have a higher proportion of consistent employment than those who did not? How large is the difference between the proportions in the two populations that are consistently employed? Do inference to answer both questions. Be sure to explain exactly what inference you choose to do.

Answer 1