Pros

The fact that better educated parents produce children who also do better implies that the benefits of policies to raise educational attainment are greater than previously estimated.

Simple measures to improve parenting skills can be effective and inexpensive—and be aimed at parents most in need of help.

Interventions that encourage the educational attainment of children from poorer families will reduce inequality in current and future generations.

The estimated payback from successful interventions in educational policy is greater if the focus is not only on the generation or groups directly affected.