Compensatory education: recent effects from a classic study (High/Scope)

Este artículo analiza dos estudios que prueban la tesis de que la educación de los desfavorecidos sociales en la edad temprana -3 y 4 años- merece la pena a corto y largo plazo. Para ello se analizan dos estudios preescolares complementarios –Perry y Curriculum -, de la Fundación High/Scope en los 60, evaluados en diversos momentos intermedios, el primero hasta alcanzar los 40 años y el segundo 23. Se describen los estudios y programas educativos, se analizan cuestiones metodológicas ligadas al seguimiento (muestra, validez, variables), se muestran los hallazgos, los tempranos específicamente escolares y otros de naturaleza distinta en la edad adulta. Finalmente se discute la modificabilidad de la inteligencia, transferencia de aprendizajes y el coste-beneficio del programa.This article analyzes two studies which prove that educating socially disadvantaged children in their early years is worthwhile in both the short term and long term. These two complementary studies –Perry and Curriculum-, promoted by the High/Scope Foundation in the sixties, evaluated the efficacy of their programmes at various moments until the sample reached age 40 (Perry) and age 23 (Curriculum). We describe the studies and their educational programmes, analyze methodological issues related to longitudinal studies (sample, validity and variables) and show the results from both their early school ages and later in their adult lives. Finally, we discuss the modificability of intelligence, the transfer of learning and the cost-benefit analysis of the programmes