A Library in the Palm of Your Hand? A Randomized Field Experiment with Low-Income Children
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Series
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Speaker(s)Thomas Siedler (Universität Potsdam, Germany)
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FieldEmpirical Microeconomics
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LocationErasmus University Rotterdam, Campus Woudestein, Langeveld 1.08
Rotterdam -
Date and time
March 19, 2026
12:00 - 13:00
Abstract
Reading comprehension is critical for academic success, yet children from disadvantaged backgrounds often engage in reading less frequently than their more advantaged peers. This study evaluates the impact of a randomized reading intervention targeting 11-12-year-olds from low-income households in Germany. Children received e-book readers with access to a large digital library of age-appropriate books. Results show a significant increase in reading engagement, leading to improvements in academic performance. Twelve months after the intervention, performance improved by 10.3% of a standard deviation, with effects persisting at 9.6% after 30 months. Additionally, the intervention positively impacted the socioemotional well-being of the children.