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The effect of pre-primary education on primary school performance

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Listed author(s):
  • Berlinski, Samuel
  • Galiani, Sebastian
  • Gertler, Paul

Abstract

The theoretical case for universal pre-primary education is strong. However, the empirical foundation is less so. In this paper, we contribute to the empirical case by investigating the effect of a large expansion of universal pre-primary education on subsequent primary school performance in Argentina. We estimate that one year of pre-primary school increases average third grade test scores by 8% of a mean or by 23% of the standard deviation of the distribution of test scores. We also find that pre-primary school attendance positively affects student's self-control in the third grade as measured by behaviors such as attention, effort, class participation, and discipline.

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File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0047-2727(08)00130-8
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Article provided by Elsevier in its journal Journal of Public Economics.

Volume (Year): 93 (2009)
Issue (Month): 1-2 (February)
Pages: 219-234

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Handle: RePEc:eee:pubeco:v:93:y:2009:i:1-2:p:219-234
Contact details of provider: Web page: http://www.elsevier.com/locate/inca/505578

Keywords: Pre-primary education Primary school performance Argentina;

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Find related papers by JEL classification:
  • I2 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education
  • J1 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics

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  18. Magnuson, Katherine A. & Ruhm, Christopher & Waldfogel, Jane, 2007. "Does prekindergarten improve school preparation and performance?," Economics of Education Review, Elsevier, vol. 26(1), pages 33-51, February.
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