Lynn A. Karoly
Overview
Biography
Lynn Karoly is a senior economist at the RAND Corporation. A labor economist, Karoly joined RAND in 1988. Her recent research has focused on human capital investments, social welfare policy, child and family well-being, and U.S. labor markets. In the area of child policy, she recently completed a multifaceted study of preschool education in California, documented in a series of reports and two RAND monographs. Related research has examined the economics of investing in universal preschool in California, early care and educaton among immigrant children, the costs and benefits of early childhood programs, and the use of benefit-cost analysis more generally to evaluate social programs. Other recent research has focused on the labor market impacts of Hurricane Katrina; self-employment and retirement patterns among older workers; the effects of welfare reform policies of the 1990s on family and child well-being; the future of the workforce and workplace in the United States; and human capital, labor market, and demographic policies in the Middle East. From 1995 to 2003, Karoly served as director of RAND Labor and Population. Her professional service includes her current role as an associate editor for the Journal of Benefit-Cost Analysis and prior service as a coeditor for The Journal of Human Resources. Karoly received her B.A. in economics and mathematics from Claremont McKenna (Men's) College and her M.A., M.Phil., and Ph.D. in economics from Yale University.
Research Focus
Previous Positions
Director, RAND Labor and PopulationRecent Projects
- Preschool in California
- Costs and benefits of early childhood interventions
- Effects of welfare reform on family and child well-being
- Self-employment of older workers
- Implications of various trends for the future U.S. workforce, workplace, and compensation
Selected Publications
Lynn A. Karoly, "Toward Standardization of Benefit-Cost Analyses of Early Childhood Interventions," Journal of Benefit-Cost Analysis, 3(1), 2012
Julie Zissimopoulos and Lynn A. Karoly, "Julie Zissimopoulos and Lynn A. Karoly," Demography, 47(2), 2010
Lynn A. Karoly, Preschool Adequacy and Efficiency in California: Issues, Policy Options, and Recommendations, RAND Corporation (MG-889), 2009
Jeffrey Grogger and Lynn A. Karoly, "The Effects of Work-Conditioned Transfers on Marriage and Child Well-Being: A Review," The Economic Journal, 119(1):F15-F37, 2009
Gabriella Gonzalez,, Lynn A. Karoly, Louay Constant, Hanine Salem, and Charles A. Goldman, Facing Human Capital Challenges of the 21st Century: Education and Labor Market Initiatives in Lebanon, Oman, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, RAND Corporation (MG-786), 2008
Lynn A. Karoly, M. Rebecca Kilburn, and Jill Cannon, Early Childhood Interventions: Proven Results, Future Promise, RAND Corporation (MG-341), 2005
Jeffrey Grogger and Lynn A. Karoly, Welfare Reform: Effects of a Decade of Change, Harvard University Press, 2005
Lynn A. Karoly and Constantijn W. A. Panis, The 21st Century at Work: Forces Shaping the Future Workforce and Workplace in the United States, RAND Corporation (MG-164), 2004
Recent Media Appearances
Interviews: Associated Press; Chicago Tribune; CNN; Marketplace Morning Report; San Diego Union-Tribune; San Francisco Chronicle; San Jose Mercury News; USA Today; Wall Street Journal
Commentary: Los Angeles Times
Child Policy
Recent Projects
- Quality variation within early childhood programs
- Early care and education workforce in California
- Preschool adequacy and efficiency in California
- Benefits and costs of universal preschool in California
- What we know and don't know about early childhood interventions
Selected Publications
Lynn A. Karoly, A Golden Opportunity: Advancing California's Early Care and Professional Development System, RAND Corporation (MG-1188), 2012
Lynn A. Karoly and Gabriella C. Gonzalez, "Early Learning Environments: Child Care and Preschool Arrangements for Children in Immigrant Families," Future of Children, 21(1):71-101, 2011
Lynn A. Karoly, Preschool Adequacy and Efficiency in California: Issues, Policy Options, and Recommendations, RAND Corporation (MG-889), 2009
Lynn A. Karoly, Bonnie Ghosh-Dastidar, Gail L. Zellman, Michal Perlman, and Lynda Fernyhough, Prepared to Learn: The Nature and Quality of Early Care and Education for Preschool-Age Children in California, RAND Corporation (TR-539), 2008
Lynn A. Karoly, Elaine Reardon, and Michelle Cho, Early Care and Education in the Golden State: Publicly Funded Programs Serving California's Preschool-Age Children, RAND Corporation (TR-538), 2007
Jill S. Cannon and Lynn A. Karoly, Who Is Ahead and Who Is Behind? Gaps in Student Achievement in the Early Grades for California's Children, RAND Corporation (TR-537), 2007
Lynn A. Karoly, M. Rebecca Kilburn, and Jill S. Cannon, Early Childhood Interventions: Proven Results, Future Promise, RAND Corporation (MG-341), 2005
Lynn A. Karoly and James H. BIgelow, The Economics of Investing in Universal Preschool Education in California, RAND Corporation (MG-349), 2005
Commentary
Children Left Behind with Brown's Cuts to Programs — Jun 24, 2012
Benefits of Preschool Come with Every Dollar — Apr 26, 2006
Publications
Advancing the Professional Development System for California's Early Care and Education Workforce - 2012
A Qualitative Study of Early Childhood Educators' Beliefs About Key Preschool Classroom Experiences - 2009
Labor-force Dynamics at Older Ages: Movements Into Self-Employment for Workers and Nonworkers - 2009
Addressing Human Capital Challenges: Assessing the Experiences of Four Countries in the Arab Region - 2008
The Promise of Preschool for Narrowing Readiness and Achievement Gaps Among California Children - 2007
The Effects of a Universal Preschool Program in California: Estimates for the Central Coast Region - 2005
The Effects of a Universal Preschool Program in California: Estimates for the Inland Empire Region - 2005
The Effects of a Universal Preschool Program in California: Estimates for the Central Valley Region - 2005
The Effects of a Universal Preschool Program in California: Estimates for the Bay Area Region - 2005
The 21st Century at Work: Forces Shaping the Future Workforce and Workplace in the United States - 2004
Effects of Access to Post-Retirement Health Insurance on Retirement Behavior and Insurance Coverage - 1998
The Transition to Stable Employment: The Experience of U.S. Youth in Their Early Labor Market Career - 1995
Multimedia
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Media Conference Call on Early Childhood Development
Feb 19, 2013

Give Poor Kids a Chance with Early Education — Apr 9, 2013