Can We Improve Learning Outcomes of Schoolchildren from the Poorest Families by Investing into Their Non-Cognitive Skills? Causal Analysis Using Propensity Score Matching

Abstract

The research aims to discover how non-cognitive skills influence students' academic achievement. The particular emphasis was put on how non-cognitive skills influence academic achievement in students from families with low socio-economic status. The study uses the data of the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) collected in Russia in 2018. The PISA-2018 provides nationally representative data that contains information from more than 7000 students in the 9th grade in Russia. For data analysis, propensity score matching was used as one of the causal analysis methods used in econometrics. The study results reveal that the development of such non-cognitive skills as growth mindset, self-efficacy, and grit lowers students’ probability to become low achievers. The effect is particularly strong for the students from the poorest families. In conclusion, the authors suggest recommendations for educational policy on the inclusion of socio-emotional learning programs in educational standards of school education.