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The Effects of a Structured Curriculum on Preschool Effectiveness: A Field Experiment

Author

Listed:
  • Mari Rege
  • Ingunn Størksen
  • Ingeborg F. Solli
  • Ariel Kalil
  • Megan M. McClelland
  • Dieuwer ten Braak
  • Ragnhild Lenes
  • Svanaug Lunde
  • Svanhild Breive
  • Martin Carlsen
  • Ingvald Erfjord
  • Per Sigurd Hundeland

Abstract

This study tests an intervention that introduces a structured curriculum for five-year-olds into the universal preschool context of Norway, where the business as usual is an unstructured curriculum. We conduct a field experiment with 691 five-year-olds in 71 preschools and measure treatment impacts on children’s development in mathematics, language, and executive functioning. The nine-month intervention has effects on child development at post-intervention, and the effects persist one year following the end of the treatment. The effects are mainly driven by the preschools identified as low quality at baseline, indicating that a structured curriculum can reduce inequality in early childhood learning environments.

Suggested Citation

  • Mari Rege & Ingunn Størksen & Ingeborg F. Solli & Ariel Kalil & Megan M. McClelland & Dieuwer ten Braak & Ragnhild Lenes & Svanaug Lunde & Svanhild Breive & Martin Carlsen & Ingvald Erfjord & Per Sigu, 2024. "The Effects of a Structured Curriculum on Preschool Effectiveness: A Field Experiment," Journal of Human Resources, University of Wisconsin Press, vol. 59(2), pages 576-603.
    • Handle: RePEc:uwp:jhriss:v:59:y:2024:i:2:p:576-603
    Note: DOI: https://doi.org/10.3368/jhr.0220-10749R3
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. A. Colin Cameron & Douglas L. Miller, 2015. "A Practitioner’s Guide to Cluster-Robust Inference," Journal of Human Resources, University of Wisconsin Press, vol. 50(2), pages 317-372.
    2. Tarjei Havnes & Magne Mogstad, 2011. "No Child Left Behind: Subsidized Child Care and Children's Long-Run Outcomes," American Economic Journal: Economic Policy, American Economic Association, vol. 3(2), pages 97-129, May.
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • I20 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - General
    • H42 - Public Economics - - Publicly Provided Goods - - - Publicly Provided Private Goods

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