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Cognitive and Noncognitive Peer Effects in Early Education

Author

Listed:
  • Matthew Neidell

    (Columbia University and NBER)

  • Jane Waldfogel

    (Columbia University)

Abstract

We examine peer effects in early education by estimating value-added models with school fixed effects that control extensively for individual, family, peer, and teacher characteristics to account for the endogeneity of peer group formation. We find statistically significant and robust spillover effects from preschool on math and reading outcomes, but statistically insignificant effects on various behavioral and social outcomes. We also find that peer externalizing problems, which most likely capture classroom disturbance, hinder cognitive outcomes. Our estimates imply that ignoring spillover effects significantly understates the social returns to preschool. © 2010 The President and Fellows of Harvard College and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Suggested Citation

  • Matthew Neidell & Jane Waldfogel, 2010. "Cognitive and Noncognitive Peer Effects in Early Education," The Review of Economics and Statistics, MIT Press, vol. 92(3), pages 562-576, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:tpr:restat:v:92:y:2010:i:3:p:562-576
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Andreas Ammermueller & Jörn-Steffen Pischke, 2006. "Peer Effects in European Primary Schools: Evidence from PIRLS," CEE Discussion Papers 0065, Centre for the Economics of Education, LSE.
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • I21 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Analysis of Education
    • I28 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Government Policy
    • J13 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Fertility; Family Planning; Child Care; Children; Youth

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