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Can Targeted, Non-Cognitive Skills Programs Improve Achievement? Evidence from EPIS

Author

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  • Martins, Pedro S.

    () (Queen Mary, University of London)

Abstract

EPIS is an original and large private-sector program aimed at improving student achievement and eroding early school leaving at Portuguese state schools. The program first screens students to focus only on those more likely to perform poorly; and then conducts a number of small-group sessions aimed at improving the non-cognitive skills (e.g. study skills, motivation, self-esteem) of the selected students. Our quasi-experimental evidence of the effects of EPIS is drawn from rich longitudinal student data and the different timings in the roll-out of the program, both within and across schools. The results indicate that the program reduced grade retention by at least 10 percentage points and did so in a cost effective way.

Suggested Citation

  • Martins, Pedro S., 2010. "Can Targeted, Non-Cognitive Skills Programs Improve Achievement? Evidence from EPIS," IZA Discussion Papers 5266, Institute for the Study of Labor (IZA).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp5266
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    Blog mentions

    As found by EconAcademics.org, the blog aggregator for Economics research:
    1. What Do Students Learn in College?
      by Martin Ryan in Geary Behaviour Centre on 2011-03-10 00:07:00
    2. Can Targeted, Non-Cognitive Skills Programs Improve Achievement?
      by Martin Ryan in Geary Behaviour Centre on 2011-01-03 22:34:00

    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Martin Schlotter, 2011. "Age at Preschool Entrance and Noncognitive Skills before School - An Instrumental Variable Approach," ifo Working Paper Series 112, ifo Institute - Leibniz Institute for Economic Research at the University of Munich.
    2. Mosthaf, Alexander, 2017. "Change in self-efficacy as a source of state dependence in labor market dynamics?," Annual Conference 2017 (Vienna): Alternative Structures for Money and Banking 168131, Verein für Socialpolitik / German Economic Association.
    3. Heckman, James J. & Kautz, Tim, 2012. "Hard evidence on soft skills," Labour Economics, Elsevier, vol. 19(4), pages 451-464.
    4. Tim Kautz & James J. Heckman & Ron Diris & Bas ter Weel & Lex Borghans, 2014. "Fostering and Measuring Skills: Improving Cognitive and Non-cognitive Skills to Promote Lifetime Success," OECD Education Working Papers 110, OECD Publishing.
    5. Danielle Machado & João Ricardo Rodrigues Moreira, 2016. "Non-cognitive abilities and pre-school: a case study for children in Brazil," Investigaciones de Economía de la Educación volume 11,in: José Manuel Cordero Ferrera & Rosa Simancas Rodríguez (ed.), Investigaciones de Economía de la Educación 11, edition 1, volume 11, chapter 33, pages 605-618 Asociación de Economía de la Educación.
    6. Stéphane Carcillo & Rodrigo Fernandez & Sebastian Königs & Andreea Minea, 2015. "NEET Youth in the Aftermath of the Crisis," Sciences Po publications 164, Sciences Po.
    7. Wendy Cunningham & Pablo Acosta & Noël Muller, 2016. "Minds and Behaviors at Work," World Bank Publications, The World Bank, number 24659.
    8. Sarah Dahmann & Silke Anger, 2014. "The Impact of Education on Personality: Evidence from a German High School Reform," SOEPpapers on Multidisciplinary Panel Data Research 658, DIW Berlin, The German Socio-Economic Panel (SOEP).
    9. Silvia Mendolia & Ian Walker, 2014. "The Effect Of Noncognitive Traits On Health Behaviours In Adolescence," Health Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 23(9), pages 1146-1158, September.
    10. James J. Heckman & Tim Kautz, 2013. "Fostering and Measuring Skills: Interventions That Improve Character and Cognition," NBER Working Papers 19656, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    11. Elke Lüdemann, 2011. "Schooling and the Formation of Cognitive and Non-cognitive Outcomes," ifo Beiträge zur Wirtschaftsforschung, ifo Institute - Leibniz Institute for Economic Research at the University of Munich, number 39.
    12. Maria Cubel & Ana Nuevo-Chiquero & Santiago Sanchez-Pages & Marian Vidal-Fernandez, 2014. "Do Personality Traits Affect Productivity? Evidence from the Lab," Working Papers 2014012, The University of Sheffield, Department of Economics.
    13. Carlana, Michela & La Ferrara, Eliana & Pinotti, Paolo, 2017. "Goals and Gaps: Educational Careers of Immigrant Children," CEPR Discussion Papers 12538, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
    14. Alexander Mosthaf, 2017. "Change in self-efficacy as a source of state dependence in labor market dynamics?," Working Papers 1715, Gutenberg School of Management and Economics, Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    student achievement; program evaluation; matched school-student data;

    JEL classification:

    • I20 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - General
    • J08 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - General - - - Labor Economics Policies

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