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Age effects in primary education: A double disadvantage for second‐generation immigrants

Author

Listed:
  • Antonio Abatemarco
  • Mariagrazia Cavallo
  • Immacolata Marino
  • Giuseppe Russo

Abstract

The immigrant background is an acknowledged source of disadvantage. We study whether this background interacts with absolute and relative age effects generating additional barriers—that is, a double disadvantage—for second‐generation immigrant children in the Italian primary school. To identify these effects we exploit the variation given by the heterogeneity in children's birthdates and the fact that the test is given at two different points in time. We do find evidence of a double disadvantage that, relative to the average native, reduces scores in Italian by 3.2% and in Math by 3.4%. This suggests that controlling for age effects in class composition criteria can be used to promote integration because it delivers extra benefits to second‐generation immigrant children.

Suggested Citation

  • Antonio Abatemarco & Mariagrazia Cavallo & Immacolata Marino & Giuseppe Russo, 2025. "Age effects in primary education: A double disadvantage for second‐generation immigrants," Southern Economic Journal, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 92(2), pages 470-503, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:soecon:v:92:y:2025:i:2:p:470-503
    DOI: 10.1002/soej.12762
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    Cited by:

    1. Mariagrazia Cavallo & Elizabeth Dhuey & Luca Fumarco & Levi Halewyck & Simon ter Meulen, 2026. "The Economics of Age at School Entry: Insights from Evidence and Methods," CESifo Working Paper Series 12545, CESifo.

    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • I21 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Analysis of Education
    • J01 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - General - - - Labor Economics: General
    • J13 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Fertility; Family Planning; Child Care; Children; Youth
    • Z13 - Other Special Topics - - Cultural Economics - - - Economic Sociology; Economic Anthropology; Language; Social and Economic Stratification

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