Peer Networks and Malleability of Educational Aspirations

TL;DR

This study demonstrates that peer networks influence and can be leveraged to effectively increase educational aspirations among high school students through a targeted video intervention.

Contribution

It provides experimental evidence that educational aspirations are malleable and that peer networks significantly affect the impact of interventions.

Findings

Video intervention successfully increased educational aspirations.

Peer networks moderated the intervention's effectiveness.

Educational beliefs about returns to education were updated.

Abstract

Continuing education beyond the compulsory years of schooling is one of the most important choices an adolescent has to make. Higher education is associated with a host of social and economic benefits both for the person and its community. Today, there is ample evidence that educational aspirations are an important determinant of said choice. We implement a multilevel, networked experiment in 45 Mexican high schools and provide evidence of the malleability of educational aspirations. We also show there exists an interdependence of students' choices and the effect of our intervention with peer networks. We find that a video intervention, which combines role models and information about returns to education is successful in updating students' beliefs and consequently educational aspirations.