Assessment of the Lifelong Impact of Early Childhood and Elementary Education and Elucidation of Its Mechanisms

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20H01510
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 07050:Public economics and labor economics-related
• Research Institution: The University of Tokyo
• Principal Investigator: Yamaguchi Shintaro 東京大学, 大学院経済学研究科(経済学部), 教授 (20793946)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 森 啓明 専修大学, 経済学部, 准教授 (40778247)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 相対年齢効果 / 非認知能力

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Our study scrutinizes the effects of an expansion in Japan's universal preschool program on adolescent risky behavior, an area with limited evidence. Using an event study model to analyze regional program expansion differences, we found significant reductions in juvenile violent arrests and teen pregnancy rates. These changes may reflect improved non-cognitive skills fostered in early education.

Additionally, we examined cognitive and non-cognitive skills development through elementary and secondary education, specifically the month-of-birth effects on these skills. Our analysis showed younger students within a grade cohort display lower skill levels. They invest in cognitive skills but often have poorer-quality relationships, potentially impairing their non-cognitive skill development. These insights deepen our understanding of early education's impact on later life outcomes and inform on education's efficiency and equity.

Free Research Field

労働経済学、家族の経済学、教育経済学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

政策立案の観点から見ると、日本のユニバーサル幼稚園プログラムの拡大に伴うリスク行動の減少は、幼児教育への投資の潜在的な利点を強調している。政策立案者は、非認知スキルの発達を支援するプログラムを重視しつつ、幼児教育の充実を図るべきである。また、同じ学年内で年齢が若い生徒がスキルレベルが低く、対人関係が貧弱であるという研究結果は、公平性の問題を提起し、これらの生徒が直面する特定の課題に対処するための政策が必要であることを示している。例えば、年齢に応じた柔軟な入学政策や、年少の生徒に対する追加のサポートが考慮されるべきである。