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Effects of attending preschool on adolescents’ outcomes: evidence from China

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  • Shiying Zhang

Abstract

This study examines whether attending preschool enhances the cognitive abilities, health and socialization of junior high school students in China. Using propensity score matching to control for a rich data set of student, family and school characteristics, I find that attending preschool enhances cognition among seventh graders but those gains fade among ninth graders. The greatest benefits from preschool accrue to both seventh and ninth graders from economically disadvantaged families. Results for non-cognitive categories are mixed, and no evidence suggests superior health outcomes. Evidence also shows cognitive benefits among adolescents – especially those economically disadvantaged – who entered preschool earlier.

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  • Shiying Zhang, 2017. "Effects of attending preschool on adolescents’ outcomes: evidence from China," Applied Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 49(27), pages 2618-2629, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:applec:v:49:y:2017:i:27:p:2618-2629
    DOI: 10.1080/00036846.2016.1243217
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    1. Zhang, Haifeng & Zang, Lijun & Mao, Mingzhi & Guo, Jiqiang & Wang, Chunchao, 2023. "The externalities of preschool attendees in middle school classes," China Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 77(C).
    2. Esra Gür Tekin & Yunus Pınar, 2023. "Preschool Attendance, School Starting Age and Cultural-Financial Resources as Predictors of Adolescent’s Reading Comprehension: Evidence From PISA 2015 and 2018," SAGE Open, , vol. 13(4), pages 21582440231, November.
    3. Shuang Yang, 2021. "The Long-Run Effects of Early Childhood Education and Care—An Empirical Analysis Based on the China Family Panel Studies Survey," Child Indicators Research, Springer;The International Society of Child Indicators (ISCI), vol. 14(5), pages 2021-2044, October.
    4. Li, Ling & Chen, Xu & Wu, Dandan & Li, Hui, 2020. "Effects of attending preschool on adolescents’ reading literacy: Evidence from the ethnic minority children in China," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 116(C).

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