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The Effects of Foreign-Born Peers in US High Schools and Middle Schools

Author

Listed:
  • Jason Fletcher
  • Jinho Kim
  • Jenna Nobles
  • Stephen Ross
  • Irina Shaorshadze

Abstract

This study examines the short-term and long-term impact of being educated with immigrant peers. We leverage a quasi-experimental design using across-grade, within-school variation in cohort/grade composition for students in the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health. We find positive effects for foreign-born students compared with native-born students from increasing exposure to other foreign-born students, including on risky health behaviors, social isolation, mental health, and academic effort. While we find negative effects on language and educational attainment, these differences do not translate into worse socioeconomic status in adulthood. Finally, we present evidence suggesting that these differential effects stem from highly segregated, school friendship networks.

Suggested Citation

  • Jason Fletcher & Jinho Kim & Jenna Nobles & Stephen Ross & Irina Shaorshadze, 2021. "The Effects of Foreign-Born Peers in US High Schools and Middle Schools," Journal of Human Capital, University of Chicago Press, vol. 15(3), pages 432-468.
    • Handle: RePEc:ucp:jhucap:doi:10.1086/715019
    DOI: 10.1086/715019
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    Cited by:

    1. Oh, Hyejeong & Kim, Jinho, 2021. "Affective acculturation and psychological well-being of children: The case of children from multicultural families in Korea," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 129(C).
    2. Dinarte Diaz, Lelys, 2024. "Peer Effects on Violence: Experimental Evidence from El Salvador," IZA Discussion Papers 16830, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    3. Dinarte-Diaz, Lelys, 2025. "Understanding the effects of group composition by risk for violence. Experimental evidence from El Salvador," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 175(C).
    4. Lelys Dinarte-Diaz, 2024. "Peer Effects on Violence: Experimental Evidence from El Salvador," CESifo Working Paper Series 10975, CESifo.
    5. Costas-Fernández, Julián & Morando, Greta & Holford, Angus, 2023. "The effect of foreign students in higher education on native students’ outcomes," European Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 160(C).
    6. Chuard, Caroline & Aerne, Annatina & Eugster, Beatrix & Hodler, Roland, 2025. "Ethnic clustering in schools and early career outcomes," Economics of Education Review, Elsevier, vol. 106(C).
    7. Fletcher, Jason & Noghanibehambari, Hamid, 2024. "The siren song of cicadas: Early-life pesticide exposure and later-life male mortality," Journal of Environmental Economics and Management, Elsevier, vol. 123(C).
    8. Polos, Jessica & Koning, Stephanie & McDade, Thomas, 2021. "Do intersecting identities structure social contexts to influence life course health? The case of school peer economic disadvantage and obesity," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 289(C).
    9. Noghanibehambari, Hamid & Engelman, Michal, 2022. "Social insurance programs and later-life mortality: Evidence from new deal relief spending," Journal of Health Economics, Elsevier, vol. 86(C).
    10. Kelvin K. C. Seah, 2021. "Impact of Immigrant Peers on Native Students’ Achievement: Evidence from Australia, Canada and the United States," Australian Economic Review, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research, vol. 54(1), pages 94-116, March.

    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • I1 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health
    • I12 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health Behavior
    • I14 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health and Inequality
    • I24 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Education and Inequality
    • J1 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics
    • J15 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Minorities, Races, Indigenous Peoples, and Immigrants; Non-labor Discrimination
    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity

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