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Genetic Endowments, Educational Outcomes and the Mediating Influence of School Investments

Author

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  • Arold, W. Benjamin

    (LMU Munich)

  • Hufe, Paul

    (University of Bristol)

  • Stoeckli, Marc

    (LMU Munich)

Abstract

Genetic endowments are fixed at conception and matter for the educational attainment of individuals. Do investments in schooling environments mitigate or magnify the outcomes of this genetic lottery? Using data from a representative sample of US adolescents, we analyze the interdependent associations of genetic endowments, teacher quality and teacher quantity with educational attainment. Our results suggest that higher-quality teachers act as substitutes for genetic endowments: a 1 SD increase in teacher quality reduces the positive association between educational attainment and a 1 SD increase in the relevant polygenic score from 0.37 to 0.30 years—a decrease of 20%. In particular, high-quality teachers increase the probability that genetically disadvantaged students complete college. This increase is underpinned by gains in health, language ability, patience, and risk aversion.

Suggested Citation

  • Arold, W. Benjamin & Hufe, Paul & Stoeckli, Marc, 2022. "Genetic Endowments, Educational Outcomes and the Mediating Influence of School Investments," IZA Discussion Papers 15430, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp15430
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Anderson, Michael L., 2008. "Multiple Inference and Gender Differences in the Effects of Early Intervention: A Reevaluation of the Abecedarian, Perry Preschool, and Early Training Projects," Journal of the American Statistical Association, American Statistical Association, vol. 103(484), pages 1481-1495.
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    Cited by:

    1. Buser, Thomas & Ahlskog, Rafael & Johannesson, Magnus & Koellinger, Philipp & Oskarsson, Sven, 2023. "Using Genes to Explore the Relationship of Cognitive and Non-cognitive Skills with Education and Labor Market Outcomes," IZA Discussion Papers 16125, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    2. Thomas Buser & Rafael Ahlskog & Magnus Johannesson & Philipp Koellinger & Sven Oskarsson, 2021. "Using Genes to Explore the Effects of Cognitive and Non-cognitive Skills on Education and Labor Market Outcomes," Tinbergen Institute Discussion Papers 21-088/I, Tinbergen Institute, revised 29 Mar 2023.
    3. Buser, Thomas & Ahlskog, Rafael & Johannesson, Magnus & Koellinger, Philipp & Oskarsson, Sven, 2024. "The causal effect of genetic variants linked to cognitive and non-cognitive skills on education and labor market outcomes," Labour Economics, Elsevier, vol. 90(C).
    4. Daniel J. Benjamin & David Cesarini & Patrick Turley & Alexander Strudwick Young, 2024. "Social-Science Genomics: Progress, Challenges, and Future Directions," NBER Working Papers 32404, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.

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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • I29 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Other
    • I21 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Analysis of Education
    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity

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