%0 Journal Article %A Di Xu %A Qing Zhang %A Xuehan Zhou %T The Impact of Low-Ability Peers on Cognitive and Noncognitive Outcomes %B Random Assignment Evidence on the Effects and Operating Channels %D 2022 %R 10.3368/jhr.57.2.0718-9637R2 %J Journal of Human Resources %P 555-596 %V 57 %N 2 %X 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 nonrepeaters’ cognitive and noncognitive 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. %U https://jhr.uwpress.org/content/wpjhr/57/2/555.full.pdf