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Too Young to Leave the Nest? The Effects of School Starting Age

Author

Listed:
  • Sandra E. Black

    (Department of Economics, UCLA, IZA, and NBER)

  • Paul J. Devereux

    (School of Economics and Geary Institute, University College Dublin, CEPR, and IZA)

  • Kjell G. Salvanes

    (Department of Economics, Norwegian School of Economics, Center for the Economics of Education, and IZA)

Abstract

Using Norwegian data, we examine effects of school starting age (SSA). Unlike much recent literature, we can separate SSA from test age effects using scores from IQ tests taken outside school at about age 18. We find a small, negative effect of starting school older but much larger positive effects of age at test. Also, starting older leads to lower earnings until about age 30. We find little impact of SSA on educational attainment, but boys who start older are less likely to have poor mental health at age 18. Additionally, starting school older has a negative effect on the probability of teenage pregnancy. © 2011 The President and Fellows of Harvard College and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Suggested Citation

  • Sandra E. Black & Paul J. Devereux & Kjell G. Salvanes, 2011. "Too Young to Leave the Nest? The Effects of School Starting Age," The Review of Economics and Statistics, MIT Press, vol. 93(2), pages 455-467, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:tpr:restat:v:93:y:2011:i:2:p:455-467
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    JEL classification:

    • J1 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics

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