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Article
Can Higher-Achieving Peers Explain the Benefits to Attending Selective Schools?: Evidence from Trinidad and Tobago
Journal of Public Economics (2013)
  • Clement (Kirabo) Jackson, Northwestern University
Abstract
Using exogenous secondary school assignments to remove self-selection bias to schools and peers, I obtain credible estimates of (1) the effect of attending schools with higher-achieving peers, and (2) the direct effect of peer quality improvements within schools, on the same population. While students at schools with higher-achieving peers have better academic achievement, within-school increases in peer achievement improve outcomes only at high-achievement schools. Estimates suggest that peer quality can account for over half of school value-added among the top quartile of schools, but little value-added for other schools. The results reveal some large and important differences by gender.
Keywords
  • school quality,
  • peer effects,
  • student achievment
Publication Date
December, 2013
Citation Information
Jackson, C. Kirabo. "Can Higher-Achieving Peers Explain the Benefits to Attending Selective Schools?: Evidence from Trinidad and Tobago" Journal of Pubic Economics. Volume 108, (December 2013), 63–77.