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What a difference a day makes: Estimating daily learning gains during kindergarten and first grade using a natural experiment
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Economics of Education Review Volume 30, Number 2 ISSN 0272-7757 Publisher: Elsevier Ltd

Abstract

Knowing whether time spent in formal schooling increases student achievement, and by how much, is important for policymakers interested in determining efficient use of resources. Using the ECLS-K, we exploit quasi-randomness in the timing of assessment dates to examine this question. Conservative estimates suggest a year of school results in gains of about one standard deviation above normal developmental gains in both reading and math test scores. The results are statistically significant and extremely robust to specification choice, supporting quasi-randomness of test dates. Estimates of skill accumulation due to formal schooling do not vary based on socioeconomic characteristics.

Citation

Fitzpatrick, M.D., Grissmer, D. & Hastedt, S. What a difference a day makes: Estimating daily learning gains during kindergarten and first grade using a natural experiment. Economics of Education Review, 30(2), 269-279. Elsevier Ltd. Retrieved February 1, 2023 from .

This record was imported from Economics of Education Review on March 1, 2019. Economics of Education Review is a publication of Elsevier.

Full text is availabe on Science Direct: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.econedurev.2010.09.004

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References

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