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Education Curriculum and Student Achievement: Theory and Evidence

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  • Andrietti, Vincenzo

    (University of Chieti-Pescara)

  • Su, Xuejuan

    (University of Alberta, Department of Economics)

Abstract

This paper proposes a theory of education curriculum and analyzes its distributional impact on student learning outcomes. Different curricula represent horizontal differentiation in the education technology, thus a curriculum change has distributional effects across students. We test the model using the quasi-natural experiment of the G8 reform in Germany. We find evidence of heterogeneous reform effects consistent with our theory. While the reform improves student test scores on average, such benefits are more pronounced for well-prepared students. In contrast, less-prepared students do not benefit from the reform.

Suggested Citation

  • Andrietti, Vincenzo & Su, Xuejuan, 2016. "Education Curriculum and Student Achievement: Theory and Evidence," Working Papers 2016-12, University of Alberta, Department of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:ris:albaec:2016_012
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    Cited by:

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    2. Vincenzo Andrietti & Xuejuan Su, 2019. "The Impact of Schooling Intensity on Student Learning: Evidence from a Quasi-Experiment," Education Finance and Policy, MIT Press, vol. 14(4), pages 679-701, Fall.
    3. Strazzeri, Maurizio & Oggenfuss, Chantal & Wolter, Stefan C., 2022. "Much Ado about Nothing? School Curriculum Reforms and Students' Educational Trajectories," IZA Discussion Papers 15505, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    4. Setwin Mutau Mufalo & Gistered Muleya & Francis Simui, 2022. "Challenges associated with the Teaching of Civic Education in Social Studies Lessons in Schools in Masaiti district: A Hermeneutic Perspective," International Journal of Research and Scientific Innovation, International Journal of Research and Scientific Innovation (IJRSI), vol. 9(2), pages 01-08, February.
    5. Mufalo Mutau Setwin & Sanny Mulubale & Gistered Muleya & Simui Francis, 2021. "Challenges faced by Combined Schools in Masaiti district which hinders the provision of Quality Education," International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS), vol. 5(3), pages 146-154, March.
    6. Ruhr, Lindsay R. & Jordan Fowler, Lindsey, 2022. "Empowerment-focused positive youth development programming for underprivileged youth in the Southern U.S.: A qualitative evaluation," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 143(C).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Education curriculum; horizontal differentiation; distributional effects; difference-in-differences; quantile analysis;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D04 - Microeconomics - - General - - - Microeconomic Policy: Formulation; Implementation; Evaluation
    • I21 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Analysis of Education
    • I28 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Government Policy

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