PARENTS KNOW THEM BETTER: THE EFFECT OF OPTIONAL EARLY ENTRY ON PUPILS' SCHOOLING ATTAINMENT |
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| Authors: | Patrizia Ordine Giuseppe Rose Daniela Sposato |
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| Institution: | 1. +39‐0984‐492458+39‐0984‐492421;2. Professor, Department of Economics, Statistics and Finance, University of Calabria, Rende 87036, Italy;3. +39‐0984‐492446+39‐0984‐492421;4. Assistant Professor, Department of Economics, Statistics and Finance, University of Calabria, Rende 87036, Italy |
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| Abstract: | The effect of optional early school entry on pupils' educational outcomes is investigated using data covering the entire population of Italian primary school students and exploiting exogenous thresholds imposed by norms regulating first enrollment. Results highlight the fact that pupils whose parents can choose when their children start school perform better than those who are bounded by terms imposed by law. These findings suggest that parental choice leads to a better match between pupils' characteristics and the beginning of formal learning. Results show that giving parents the option to anticipate or delay school entry could be a beneficial measure. (JEL I20, H52) |
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