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What Makes a Classmate a Peer? Examining which peers matter in NYC elementary schools

Author

Listed:
  • Horrace, William

    (Syracuse University)

  • Jung, Hyunseok

    (University of Arkansas)

  • Presler, Jonathan

    (Sinquefield Center for Applied Economic Research, Saint Louis University)

  • Schwartz, Amy Ellen

    (Syracuse University)

Abstract

We identify and estimate the effects of student-level social spillovers on standardized test performance in New York City (NYC) elementary schools. We leverage student demographic data to construct within-classroom social networks based on shared student characteristics, such as a gender or ethnicity. Rather than aggregate shared characteristics into a single network matrix, we specify additively separate network matrices for each shared characteristic and estimate city-wide peer effects for each one. Conditional on sharing a classroom, we find that the most important student peer effects are shared ethnicity, gender, and primary language spoken at home. Identification of the model is discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Horrace, William & Jung, Hyunseok & Presler, Jonathan & Schwartz, Amy Ellen, 2021. "What Makes a Classmate a Peer? Examining which peers matter in NYC elementary schools," Working Papers 21-4, Sinquefield Center for Applied Economic Research, Saint Louis University, revised 17 Jan 2022.
    • Handle: RePEc:ris:sluecr:2021_004
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Peer effect; Network; Homophily; Education;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C31 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Multiple or Simultaneous Equation Models; Multiple Variables - - - Cross-Sectional Models; Spatial Models; Treatment Effect Models; Quantile Regressions; Social Interaction Models
    • I21 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Analysis of Education

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