Freed students, unsatisfied parents: Evidence from the Free Semester Program in South Korea

Hoyong Jung

International Journal of Educational Development, 2025, vol. 114, issue C

Abstract: This study examines the impact of the Free Semester Program (FSP) on parental satisfaction in South Korean middle schools. Leveraging data from the 2012 Gyeonggi Education Panel Study, we employ a difference-in-differences methodology that exploits variations in FSP implementation across schools. Our findings indicate that the FSP significantly reduces parental satisfaction, a result that remains robust across multiple control variables. Moreover, the effect varies by household characteristics, with underprivileged families experiencing a sharper decline in parental satisfaction. Our findings underscore the need for policymakers to consider parental perspectives when designing and implementing education reforms.

Keywords: Free Semester Program; Parents; Parental satisfaction; Difference-in-differences; South Korea (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:injoed:v:114:y:2025:i:c:s0738059325000641

DOI: 10.1016/j.ijedudev.2025.103266

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