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Informal social interactions, academic achievement and behavior: Evidence from peers on the school bus

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  • Matthew A Lenard
  • Mikko Silliman

Abstract

We study the effects of informal social interactions on academic achievement and behaviour using idiosyncratic variation in peer groups stemming from changes in bus routes across elementary, middle and high school. Our results suggest that student interactions outside the classroom—especially in adolescence—may be an important factor in the education production function for both academic and, particularly, behavioural skills. The effects of interactions on the bus are also related to neighbourhood measures—suggesting that one way that interactions on the bus may matter is by amplifying interactions in the neighbourhood.

Suggested Citation

  • Matthew A Lenard & Mikko Silliman, 2025. "Informal social interactions, academic achievement and behavior: Evidence from peers on the school bus," The Economic Journal, Royal Economic Society, vol. 135(671), pages 2359-2373.
    • Handle: RePEc:oup:econjl:v:135:y:2025:i:671:p:2359-2373.
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    File URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10.1093/ej/ueaf013
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    Cited by:

    1. David J. Deming & Mikko I. Silliman, 2024. "Skills and Human Capital in the Labor Market," NBER Working Papers 32908, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    2. Tengfei Huo & Shixiang Liu & Youfeng Qiao & Yujie Zhang & Bingsheng Liu, 2025. "Peer effects in local government decision-making on new infrastructure investment: evidence from Chinese 258 cities," Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 12(1), pages 1-14, December.

    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • I21 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Analysis of Education
    • C31 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Multiple or Simultaneous Equation Models; Multiple Variables - - - Cross-Sectional Models; Spatial Models; Treatment Effect Models; Quantile Regressions; Social Interaction Models

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