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English proficiency and mathematics test scores of immigrant children in the US

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  • Fenoll, Ainhoa Aparicio

Abstract

This paper explores whether native-immigrant differences in mathematics test scores can be accounted for by a lack of English proficiency. To identify the causal effect of English proficiency on test scores, I use the fact that language proficiency is closely linked to age at arrival, and that migrant children arrive at different ages from different countries. Using US data from the New Immigrant Survey, I find that English proficiency has no effect on mathematics tests and therefore they can be used to assess students’ ability net of language effects.

Suggested Citation

  • Fenoll, Ainhoa Aparicio, 2018. "English proficiency and mathematics test scores of immigrant children in the US," Economics of Education Review, Elsevier, vol. 64(C), pages 102-113.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecoedu:v:64:y:2018:i:c:p:102-113
    DOI: 10.1016/j.econedurev.2018.04.003
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    Cited by:

    1. Mukhopadhyay, Sankar, 2020. "Language assimilation and performance in achievement tests among Hispanic children in the U.S.: Evidence from a field experiment," Economics of Education Review, Elsevier, vol. 75(C).
    2. Hull, Marie & Norris, Jonathan, 2020. "The skill development of children of immigrants," Economics of Education Review, Elsevier, vol. 78(C).
    3. Mariagrazia Cavallo & Giuseppe Russo, 2020. "Reading Performance and Math Performance of Second-Generation Children in Italy," CSEF Working Papers 554, Centre for Studies in Economics and Finance (CSEF), University of Naples, Italy.
    4. Alberto Ortega & Tyler Ludwig, 2023. "Immigrant English Proficiency, Children’s Educational Performance, and Parental Involvement," Review of Economics of the Household, Springer, vol. 21(2), pages 693-719, June.
    5. Ainoa Aparicio Fenoll & Zoë Kuehn, 2021. "The bilingual advantage," Carlo Alberto Notebooks 645, Collegio Carlo Alberto.
    6. Höckel, Lisa Sofie & Schilling, Pia, 2022. "Starting off on the right foot: Language learning classes and the educational success of immigrant children," Ruhr Economic Papers 983, RWI - Leibniz-Institut für Wirtschaftsforschung, Ruhr-University Bochum, TU Dortmund University, University of Duisburg-Essen.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Standardized tests; English proficiency; Immigrant children; Age at arrival; English-speaking countries;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J13 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Fertility; Family Planning; Child Care; Children; Youth
    • J15 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Minorities, Races, Indigenous Peoples, and Immigrants; Non-labor Discrimination
    • I20 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - General

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