Summer may take students away from Harvard Yard, but it never dampens the HCER’s dedication to providing our readers with compelling economic analysis. Please enjoy articles from the Cover section of our issue, “The Economics of Energy,” here.

EARLY INTERVENTION MAY BE the key to breaking the cycle of poverty. It is often said that “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” and economic research demonstrates the truth of this maxim. Careful evaluations of model programs such as the famous Perry Preschool program show that early childhood programs can make a difference in the lives of poor children. As of age 27, adults who had attended the Perry Preschool program had lower rates of crime and welfare use. But what about Head Start, the large-scale public preschool program for poor preschool children? Does Head Start make a difference?