Working Paper: NBER ID: w19060
Authors: Robert W. Fairlie; Jonathan Robinson
Abstract: Computers are an important part of modern education, yet many schoolchildren lack access to a computer at home. We test whether this impedes educational achievement by conducting the largest-ever field experiment that randomly provides free home computers to students. Although computer ownership and use increased substantially, we find no effects on any educational outcomes, including grades, test scores, credits earned, attendance and disciplinary actions. Our estimates are precise enough to rule out even modestly-sized positive or negative impacts. The estimated null effect is consistent with survey evidence showing no change in homework time or other "intermediate" inputs in education.
Keywords: home computers; academic achievement; schoolchildren; randomized control trial
JEL Codes: I24
Edges that are evidenced by causal inference methods are in orange, and the rest are in light blue.
| Cause | Effect |
|---|---|
| Providing home computers to schoolchildren (I21) | Educational outcomes (I21) |
| Home computers usage (C89) | Educational outcomes (I21) |
| Higher computer usage (C89) | Increased homework time (D29) |
| Home computers ownership (L63) | Academic performance (D29) |