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Effect of Secondary Education on Cognitive and Non-cognitive Skills

Author

Listed:
  • Jani-Petteri Olllikainen
  • Tuomas Pekkarinen
  • Roope Uusitalo
  • Hanna Virtanen

Abstract

We exploit admission cutoffs to secondary schools to study the effects of general academically oriented, versus vocational secondary schooling on cognitive and non-cognitive skills using a regression discontinuity design. We measure these skills using the Finnish Defence Forces Basic Skills Test that due to compulsory military service covers the vast majority of Finnish men and is a strong predictor of later labor market success. We find that large differences in average skills across students that differ in their schooling when entering military service are due to selection rather than causal effects of secondary schooling on either cognitive or non-cognitive skills.

Suggested Citation

  • Jani-Petteri Olllikainen & Tuomas Pekkarinen & Roope Uusitalo & Hanna Virtanen, "undated". "Effect of Secondary Education on Cognitive and Non-cognitive Skills," Working Papers 336, Työn ja talouden tutkimus LABORE, The Labour Institute for Economic Research LABORE.
    • Handle: RePEc:pst:wpaper:336
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    non-cognitive skills; regression discontinuity; secondary schooling;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

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

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