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Supporting integration in schools: Evidence from a randomized targeted intervention

Author

Listed:
  • Mühlrad, Hanna

    (Karolinska Institute)

  • Sibbmark, Kristina

    (IFAU - Institute for Evaluation of Labour Market and Education Policy)

  • Sjögren, Anna

    (IFAU - Institute for Evaluation of Labour Market and Education Policy)

  • Tallås Ahlzén, Malin

    (IFAU - Institute for Evaluation of Labour Market and Education Policy)

Abstract

We evaluate a two year school development program aimed at enhancing the quality of education for recent migrant students and Swedish language learners through customized packages of professional development for teachers and support of school man-agement. We exploit the pairwise randomized roll out to 63 municipalities between 2016 and 2019 to examine effects on student achievement and explore underlying mechanisms. Over a 7 year follow-up period, core subject test scores improved by 0.021 sd, driven by a 0.032 sd improvement in mathematics performance. Test score gains in mathematics were present for students, regardless their background, during and post-implementation. Swedish test score gains generally materialized post-implementation, while second gen-eration immigrant students gained already during implementation. Test score gains are more pronounced for foreign background students, for boys and at the low end of the test score distribution. The support program passes a cost-benefit test.

Suggested Citation

  • Mühlrad, Hanna & Sibbmark, Kristina & Sjögren, Anna & Tallås Ahlzén, Malin, 2026. "Supporting integration in schools: Evidence from a randomized targeted intervention," Working Paper Series 2026:1, IFAU - Institute for Evaluation of Labour Market and Education Policy.
    • Handle: RePEc:hhs:ifauwp:2026_001
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • F22 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business - - - International Migration
    • H52 - Public Economics - - National Government Expenditures and Related Policies - - - Government Expenditures and Education
    • I21 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Analysis of Education
    • I22 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Educational Finance; Financial Aid
    • I24 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Education and Inequality
    • I28 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Government Policy
    • J45 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Particular Labor Markets - - - Public Sector Labor Markets

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