The effect of pre-primary education on primary school performance

Samuel Berlinski, Sebastian Galiani and Paul Gertler

Journal of Public Economics, 2009, vol. 93, issue 1-2, 219-234

Abstract: The theoretical case for universal pre-primary education is strong. However, the empirical foundation is less so. In this paper, we contribute to the empirical case by investigating the effect of a large expansion of universal pre-primary education on subsequent primary school performance in Argentina. We estimate that one year of pre-primary school increases average third grade test scores by 8% of a mean or by 23% of the standard deviation of the distribution of test scores. We also find that pre-primary school attendance positively affects student's self-control in the third grade as measured by behaviors such as attention, effort, class participation, and discipline.

Keywords: Pre-primary; education; Primary; school; performance; Argentina (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2009
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (184)

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Related works:
Working Paper: The effect of pre-primary education on primary school performance (2006)
Working Paper: The Effect of Pre-Primary Education on Primary School Performance (2006)
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:pubeco:v:93:y:2009:i:1-2:p:219-234

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