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Targeted Poverty Alleviation and Children's Academic Performance in China

Author

Listed:
  • Nong, Huifu

    (Guangdong University of Finance)

  • Zhang, Qing

    (Hunan University)

  • Zhu, Hongjia

    (Jinan University)

  • Zhu, Rong

    (Flinders University)

Abstract

This paper estimates the causal impact of China's targeted poverty alleviation program on the academic achievement of students from poor households. We use the longitudinal academic records of a cohort of students from all middle schools in a nationally designated poor county in China. Using the difference-in-differences approach, we show that targeted poverty alleviation improves the scholastic performance of girls and their achievement rank among peer students. However, we find no such empirical evidence for boys. Our findings suggest that the new anti-poverty program in China has the potential to ameliorate the intergenerational transmission of low socioeconomic status to girls by promoting their human capital accumulation.

Suggested Citation

  • Nong, Huifu & Zhang, Qing & Zhu, Hongjia & Zhu, Rong, 2021. "Targeted Poverty Alleviation and Children's Academic Performance in China," IZA Discussion Papers 14674, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp14674
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    Cited by:

    1. Zhao, Chunkai & Chen, Boou & Song, Zhiyong, 2024. "School nutritious feeding and cognitive abilities of students in poverty: Evidence from the nutrition improvement program in China," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 159(C).
    2. Qi, Ping & Deng, Lanfang & Li, Hongyi, 2024. "Does the county-based poverty reduction policy matter for children's human capital development?," China Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 85(C).
    3. Tang, Jianjun & Gong, Jiaowei & Ma, Wanglin & Rahut, Dil Bahadur, 2022. "Narrowing urban–rural income gap in China: The role of the targeted poverty alleviation program," Economic Analysis and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 75(C), pages 74-90.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    middle school; targeted poverty alleviation; academic outcomes; China;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I21 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Analysis of Education
    • I32 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - Measurement and Analysis of Poverty
    • I38 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - Government Programs; Provision and Effects of Welfare Programs

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