TY - JOUR T1 - The Impact of Low-Ability Peers on Cognitive and Non-Cognitive Outcomes: Random Assignment Evidence on the Effects and Operating Channels JF - Journal of Human Resources JO - J Hum Resour DO - 10.3368/jhr.57.2.0718-9637R2 AU - Di Xu AU - Qing Zhang AU - Xuehan Zhou Y1 - 2020/03/09 UR - http://jhr.uwpress.org/content/early/2020/03/03/jhr.57.2.0718-9637R2.abstract N2 - This article presents new experimental estimates of the impact of low-ability peers on own outcomes using nationally representative data from China. We exploit the random assignment of students to junior high school classrooms and find that the proportion of low-ability peers, defined as having been retained during primary school (“repeaters”), has negative effects on non-repeaters’ cognitive and non-cognitive outcomes. An exploration of the mechanisms shows that a larger proportion of repeater peers is associated with reduced after-school study time. The negative effects are driven by male repeaters and are more pronounced among students with less strict parental monitoring at home. ER -