Working Paper: NBER ID: w31406
Authors: David N. Figlio; Krzysztof Karbownik; Umut Zek
Abstract: Public policies often target individuals but within-family externalities of such interventions are understudied. Using a regression discontinuity design, we document how a third grade retention policy affects both the target children and their younger siblings. The policy improves test scores of both children while the spillover is up to 30% of the target child effect size. The effects are particularly pronounced in families where one of the children is disabled, for boys, and in immigrant families. Candidate mechanisms include improved classroom inputs and parental school choice.
Keywords: Sibling Spillovers; Education Policy; Retention Policy
JEL Codes: D13; I20; J13
Edges that are evidenced by causal inference methods are in orange, and the rest are in light blue.
| Cause | Effect |
|---|---|
| third-grade retention policy (I21) | test scores of focal children (I24) |
| third-grade retention policy (I21) | test scores of younger siblings (C92) |
| test scores of focal children (I24) | test scores of younger siblings (C92) |
| third-grade retention policy (I21) | likelihood of younger siblings being placed in special education (I24) |
| third-grade retention policy (I21) | parental school choice (I28) |
| third-grade retention policy (I21) | improved classroom inputs (I21) |