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Field
Abstract
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Before
Inequality and social segregation are important topics in Economics. In this research, I study how inequality in primary school performance is driven by role models, and the extent to which children relate to them via gender and ethnicity. I run an experiment in English primary schools with random allocation to a role model intervention during exam preparation period in spring term. The treatment aims at raising self-efficacy for and providing information on the usefulness of Maths. The interventions occurred as video recordings of TED Talk-like speeches by successful STEM professionals of different gender and ethnicity. To measure the effect of role models on Maths attainment, I consider performance in standardized Maths tests two months after the intervention. I find positive effects on performance of pupils who watched a video of a speaker of the same gender. The effect is significant compared to seeing an opposite gender speaker, and no speaker at all in the control group. The effect of same gender speakers is largely driven by boys.
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After
Inequality and social segregation are important topics in Economics. In this research, I study how inequality in primary school performance is driven by role models, and the extent to which children relate to them via gender and ethnicity. I run an experiment in English primary schools with random allocation to a role model intervention during exam preparation period in spring term. The treatment aims at raising self-efficacy for and providing information on the usefulness of Maths. The interventions occurred as video recordings of TED Talk-like speeches by successful STEM professionals of different gender and ethnicity. To measure the effect of role models on Maths attainment, I consider performance in standardized Maths tests two months after the intervention. I find positive effects on performance of pupils who watched a video of a speaker of the same gender. The effect is significant compared to seeing an opposite gender speaker, and no speaker at all in the control group.
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