Journal of East China Normal University(Educational Sciences) ›› 2021, Vol. 39 ›› Issue (2): 100-114.doi: 10.16382/j.cnki.1000-5560.2021.02.009

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The Effect of School Entrance Age on School Performance of Children and Adolescents in Compulsory Education

Zhening Xu   

  1. Institute of Sociology, Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences, Shanghai 200020, China
  • Online:2021-02-20 Published:2021-02-07

Abstract:

In the stage of compulsory education, the actual school entrance age in the same school year is different due to the cut-off date for school admission. Based on the sample survey of primary and secondary school students in Shanghai, the effect of school entrance age on school performance was analyzed and the relative-age effect was discussed. The results showed that the relative-age effect in primary schools was significant, which gradually weakened or even disappeared after junior middle schools.But the school performance of summer-born children was more disadvantageous than those who were born in autumn from primary to the junior middle schools.The relative-age effect was significant on the academic achievement of both boys and girls, as well as on the social interaction of girls. Family resources can moderate the relative-age effect.

Key words: school entrance age, school performance, compulsory education, the relative-age effect