Effectively involving low-SES parents in human capital development: Evidence from a field experiment

Carla Haelermans, Joris Ghysels

Research output: Working paper / PreprintWorking paper

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Abstract

In this paper we analyze the effect of involving parents in human capital investment. We study the effect of a parental app on student effort in a digital homework practice tool, and its effect on subsequent human capital development. The randomized field experiment includes more than 2000 7-9 grade students of 2 schools and we specifically focus on different socio-economic status (SES) groups. The results indicate that parental involvement via an app positively affects effort and human capital development of 7th and 8th grade students, but not of 9th grade students. The positive effects are mainly driven by low-SES students and are larger for males.
Original languageEnglish
Place of PublicationMaastricht
PublisherROA
Number of pages50
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 8 Oct 2019

Publication series

SeriesROA Research Memoranda
Number008

JEL classifications

  • i20 - Education and Research Institutions: General
  • i21 - Analysis of Education
  • i24 - Education and Inequality
  • c93 - Field Experiments

Keywords

  • parental involvement
  • randomized field experiment
  • socio-economic status (SES)
  • student effort
  • human capital devleopment
  • secondary education

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