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From Rank to Label: How Early Academic Rank Shapes Educational Diagnoses and Mental Health Outcomes

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  • Larivière, Jérôme

Abstract

This study uses rich Canadian census and administrative data to examine the causal ef- fects of early academic ranking on educational diagnoses and long-term mental well-being. Leveraging within-classroom variation among students with similar abilities, I find that mov- ing from the 0–5th to the 10–15th percentile reduces learning disability diagnoses by 34% and mental health conditions by 16%. Conversely, shifting from the 85–90th to the 95–100th percentile increases gifted diagnoses by 27%, showing that teacher perceptions and behaviors are influenced by relative performance. Similar rank variation also lower adult mental health challenges by 12% and boost learning-related self-esteem by 21%.

Suggested Citation

  • Larivière, Jérôme, 2025. "From Rank to Label: How Early Academic Rank Shapes Educational Diagnoses and Mental Health Outcomes," MPRA Paper 124861, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    • Handle: RePEc:pra:mprapa:124861
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Academic Rank; Educational Diagnosis; Rank Effect; Teacher Bias;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I21 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Analysis of Education
    • I24 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Education and Inequality
    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity

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