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Effectively Involving Low-SES Parents in Human Capital Development: Evidence from a Field Experiment

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  • Haelermans, Carla

    (RS: GSBE Theme Learning and Work, Macro, International & Labour Economics, RS: FSE TA-TIER)

  • Ghysels, Joris

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Haelermans, Carla & Ghysels, Joris, 2019. "Effectively Involving Low-SES Parents in Human Capital Development: Evidence from a Field Experiment," Research Memorandum 025, Maastricht University, Graduate School of Business and Economics (GSBE).
    • Handle: RePEc:unm:umagsb:2019025
    DOI: 10.26481/umagsb.2019025
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • I20 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - General
    • I21 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Analysis of Education
    • I24 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Education and Inequality
    • C93 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Field Experiments

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