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Zachrisson et al 2021 ECEC Achievement

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  • Zachrisson, Henrik Daae
  • Dearing, Eric
  • Borgen, Nicolai T.
  • Sandsør, Astrid Marie Jorde

    (University of Oslo)

  • Karoly, Lynn A.

Abstract

In this study, we estimate the effects of the scale-up of Norway’s universal ECEC program — expanding access to 1- and 2-year olds starting in the early 2000s—on standardized math and achievement tests in 5th grade (age 10) using a population-based survey sample (Norwegian Mother, Father, and Child Cohort Study, MoBa, n = 102,352), linked with national administrative records of child achievement test scores. These data support using fixed-effects regressions and instrumental variable regressions to make inferences about the causal impact of ECEC scale-up on middle childhood achievement. We find the scale-up of ECEC starting in the second year of life improved test scores, especially for children from families with low levels of parental education, thereby reducing the achievement gap between children of parents with the highest and lowest education by up to 50%.

Suggested Citation

  • Zachrisson, Henrik Daae & Dearing, Eric & Borgen, Nicolai T. & Sandsør, Astrid Marie Jorde & Karoly, Lynn A., 2021. "Zachrisson et al 2021 ECEC Achievement," EdArXiv zrctw, Center for Open Science.
    • Handle: RePEc:osf:edarxi:zrctw
    DOI: 10.35542/osf.io/zrctw
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    References listed on IDEAS

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