The Causal Impact of Socio-Emotional Skills Training on Educational Success

89 Pages Posted: 30 Mar 2020

See all articles by Giuseppe Sorrenti

Giuseppe Sorrenti

University of Zurich

Ulf Zölitz

University of Zurich; IZA Institute of Labor Economics

Denis Ribeaud

University of Zurich

Manuel Eisner

University of Cambridge - Institute of Criminology

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Abstract

We study the long-term effects of a randomized intervention targeting children's socio-emotional skills. The classroom-based intervention for primary school children has positive impacts that persist for over a decade. Treated children become more likely to complete academic high school and enroll in university. Two mechanisms drive these results. Treated children show fewer ADHD symptoms: they are less impulsive and less disruptive. They also attain higher grades, but they do not score higher on standardized tests. The long-term effects on educational attainment thus appear to be driven by changes in socio-emotional skills rather than cognitive skills.

Keywords: socio-emotional skills, randomized intervention, child development, school tracking

JEL Classification: C93, I21, I24, I26, J24

Suggested Citation

Sorrenti, Giuseppe and Zölitz, Ulf and Ribeaud, Denis and Eisner, Manuel, The Causal Impact of Socio-Emotional Skills Training on Educational Success. IZA Discussion Paper No. 13087, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3562877 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3562877

Giuseppe Sorrenti (Contact Author)

University of Zurich ( email )

Rämistrasse 71
Zürich, CH-8006
Switzerland

Ulf Zölitz

University of Zurich ( email )

Rämistrasse 71
Zürich, CH-8006
Switzerland

IZA Institute of Labor Economics ( email )

P.O. Box 7240
Bonn, D-53072
Germany

Denis Ribeaud

University of Zurich ( email )

Manuel Eisner

University of Cambridge - Institute of Criminology ( email )

Sidgwick Site
Cambridge, CB3 9DA
United Kingdom

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