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Sibling Spillovers May Enhance the Efficacy of Targeted School Policies

Author

Listed:
  • David N. Figlio
  • Krzysztof Karbownik
  • Umut Özek

Abstract

Public policies often target individuals but within-family externalities of such interventions are understudied. Using a regression discontinuity design, we document how a third grade retention policy affects both the target children and their younger siblings. The policy improves test scores of both children while the spillover is up to 30% of the target child effect size. The effects are particularly pronounced in families where one of the children is disabled, for boys, and in immigrant families. Candidate mechanisms include improved classroom inputs and parental school choice.

Suggested Citation

  • David N. Figlio & Krzysztof Karbownik & Umut Özek, 2023. "Sibling Spillovers May Enhance the Efficacy of Targeted School Policies," NBER Working Papers 31406, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    • Handle: RePEc:nbr:nberwo:31406
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    Cited by:

    1. Avdeev, Stanislav & Ketel, Nadine & Oosterbeek, Hessel & van der Klaauw, Bas, 2024. "Spillovers in fields of study: Siblings, cousins, and neighbors," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 238(C).
    2. Humlum, Maria Knoth & Morthorst, Marius Opstrup & Thingholm, Peter Rønø, 2024. "Sibling spillovers and the choice to get vaccinated: Evidence from a regression discontinuity design," Journal of Health Economics, Elsevier, vol. 94(C).
    3. Umut Özek, 2025. "Does one plus one always equal two? Examining complementarities in educational interventions," Journal of Policy Analysis and Management, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 44(1), pages 45-72, January.

    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • D13 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - Household Production and Intrahouse Allocation
    • I20 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - General
    • J13 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Fertility; Family Planning; Child Care; Children; Youth

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