Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in
Book cover

The Economics of Education and Training pp 105–132Cite as

Does the early bird catch the worm?

Instrumental variable estimates of early educational effects of age of school entry in Germany

  • Chapter

Part of the book series: Studies in Empirical Economics ((STUDEMP))

Abstract

We estimate the effect of age of school entry on educational outcomes using two different data sets for Germany, sampling pupils at the end of primary school and in the middle of secondary school. Results are obtained based on instrumental variable estimation exploiting the exogenous variation in month of birth. We find robust and significant positive effects on educational outcomes for pupils who enter school at 7 instead of 6 years of age: test scores at the end of primary school increase by about 0.40 standard deviations and the probability to attend the highest secondary schooling track (Gymnasium) increases by about 12% points.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.

Chapter
USD   29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD   129.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD   169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD   169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Learn about institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  • Angrist JD (2004) American education research changes track. Oxf Rev Econ Policy 20:198-212

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Angrist JD, Krueger AB (1992) The effect of age at school entry on educational attainment: an application of instrumental variables with moments from two samples. J Am Stat Assoc 87:328-335

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Baumert J, Trautwein U, Artelt C (2003) Schulumwelten - institutionelle Bedingungen des Lehrens und Lernens. In: Deutsches PISA-Konsortium (ed) PISA 2000 . Ein differenzierter Blick auf die Länder der Bundesrepublik Deutschland. Verlag Leske + Budrich, Opladen, pp 261-331

    Google Scholar 

  • Bedard K, Dhuey E (2006) The persistence of early childhood maturity: international evidence of long-run age effects. Working paper, Department of Economics University of California, Santa Barbara. Q J Econ (forthcoming)

    Google Scholar 

  • Bertram T, Pascal C (2002) Early years education: an international perspective. Qualifications and Curriculum Authority, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Bos W, Lankes EM, Prenzel M, Schwippert K, Walther G, Valtin R (2003) Erste Ergebnisse aus IGLU. Waxmann Verlag, Münster

    Google Scholar 

  • Bound J, Jaeger DA, Baker RM (1995) Problems with instrumental variables estimation when the correlation between the instruments and the endogenous explanatory variables is weak. J Am Stat Assoc 90:443-450

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cunha F, Heckman JJ, Lochner L, Masterov DV (2006) Interpreting the evidence on life cycle skill formation. In: Hanushek E, Welch F (eds) Handbook of the economics of education. Elsevier, North-Holland, New York (forthcoming)

    Google Scholar 

  • Currie J (2001) Early childhood education programs. J Econ Perspect 15:213-238

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Del Bono E, Galindo-Rueda F (2004) Do a few months of compulsory schooling matter? The education and labour market impact of school leaving rules. IZA discussion paper no. 1233

    Google Scholar 

  • Dustmann C (2004) Parental background, secondary school track choice, and wages. Oxf Econ Pap 56:209-230

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fertig M, Kluve J (2005) The effect of age at school entry on educational attainment in Germany. IZA discussion paper no. 1507

    Google Scholar 

  • Fredriksson P, Öckert B (2005) Is early learning really more productive? The effect of school starting age on school and labour market performance. IZA discussion paper no. 1659 Gonzalez EJ, Kennedy AM (2003) PIRLS 2001 user guide for the international database. Interna- tional Study Center, Lynch School of Education, Boston College, Boston

    Google Scholar 

  • Graue ME, DiPerna J (2000) Redshirting and early retention: who gets the “Gift of Time” and what are its outcomes? Am Educ Res J 37:509-534

    Google Scholar 

  • Hahn J, Todd P, Van der Klaauw W (2001) Identification and estimation of treatment effects with a regression-discontinuity design. Econometrica 69:201-209

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hanushek EA, Wößmann L (2006) Does educational tracking affect performance and inequality?: differences-in-differences evidence across countries. Econ J 116:63-76

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hutchison D, Sharp C (1999) A lasting legacy? The persistence of season of birth effects. NFER conference paper, presented at the British Educational Research Association Conference, University of Brighton

    Google Scholar 

  • Imbens GW, Angrist JD (1994) Identification and estimation of local average treatment effects. Econometrica 62:467-475

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jimerson S, Carlson E, Rotert M, Egeland B, Sroufe LA (1997) A prospective, longitudinal study of the correlates and consequences of early grade retention. J Sch Psychol 35:3-25

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kern A (1951) Sitzenbleiberelend und Schulreife. Verlag Herder, Freiburg

    Google Scholar 

  • Kinard EM, Reinherz H (1986) Birthdate effects on school performance and adjustment: a longi- tudinal study. J Educ Res 79:366-372

    Google Scholar 

  • Leuven E, Lindahl M, Oosterbeek H, Webbink D (2004) New evidence on the effect of time in school on early achievement. HEW 0410001, Economics Working Paper Archive at WUSTL May DC, Kundert DK, Brent D (1995) Does delayed school entry reduce later grade retentions and use of special education services? Remedial Spec Educ 16:288-294

    Google Scholar 

  • Mayer S, Knutson D (1999) Does the timing of school affect how much children learn? In: Mayer S, Peterson P (eds) Earning and learning: how schools matter. Brookings Institution Press, Washington, pp 79-102

    Google Scholar 

  • Morrison FJ, Griffith EM, Alberts DM (1997) Nature-nurture in the classroom: entrance age, school readiness, and learning in children. Dev Psychol 33:254-262

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Proctor TB, Black KN, Feldhusen JF (1986) Early admission of selected children to elementary school: a review of the research literature. J Educ Res 80:70-76

    Google Scholar 

  • Puhani PA, Weber AM (2005) Does the early bird catch the worm? Instrumental variable estimates of educational effects of age of school enty in Germany. IZA discussion paper no. 1827

    Google Scholar 

  • Sharp C (2002) School starting age: European policy and recent research. In: NFER conference paper, presented at the LGA seminar ‘When Should Our Children Start School?’. LGA Con- ference Centre, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Staiger D, Stock JH (1997) Instrumental variables regression with weak instruments. Econometrica 65:557-586

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stipek D (2002) At what age should children enter Kindergarten? A question for policy makers and parents. Soc Policy Rep 16:3-16

    Google Scholar 

  • Stipek D, Byler P (2001) Academic achievement and social behaviors associated with age of entry into kindergarten. Appl Dev Psychol 22:175-189

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stock JH, Wright JH, Yogo M (2002) Survey of weak instruments and weak identification in generalized method of moments. J Bus Econ Stat 4:518-529

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Strøm B (2004) Student achievement and birthday effects. Mimeo, Norwegian University of Science and Technology

    Google Scholar 

  • Willer CW, Dyment DA, Sadovnick AD, Rothwell PM, Murray TJ, Ebers GC (2005) Timing of birth and risk of multiple sclerosis: population based study. Br Med J 330:120-123

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zill N, Loomis LS, West J (1997) National household education survey. The elementary school performance and adjustment of children who enter Kindergarten late or repeat Kindergarten: findings from national surveys. In: NCES statistical analysis report 98-097. US Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, Washington

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institut für Arbeitsökonomik, University of Hannover, Königsworther Platz 1, 30167, Hannover, Germany

    Patrick A. Puhani

  2. SIAW, University of St. Gallen, St. Gallen, Switzerland

    Patrick A. Puhani

  3. IZA, Bonn, Germany

    Patrick A. Puhani

  4. Fachbereich 1, Residenzschloss S313/136, Darmstadt University of Technology, Marktplatz 15, 64283, Darmstadt, Germany

    Andrea M. Weber

Authors
  1. Patrick A. Puhani
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Andrea M. Weber
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Economics, University College London (UCL), Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, UK

    Christian Dustmann  & Stephen Machin  & 

  2. Department of Economics, Albert-Ludwigs-University Freiburg, Platz der Alten Synagoge 1, 79085, Freiburg, Germany

    Bernd Fitzenberger

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2008 Physica-Verlag Heidelberg

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Puhani, P.A., Weber, A.M. (2008). Does the early bird catch the worm?. In: Dustmann, C., Fitzenberger, B., Machin, S. (eds) The Economics of Education and Training. Studies in Empirical Economics. Physica-Verlag HD. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-7908-2022-5_6

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation