Title: Beyond Test Scores: The Behavioral and Social Toll of Teacher Stereotyping on Non-Local Students

Speaker: LUO Qinyue at Rockwool Foundation Berlin and Humboldt University

Time: 15:30-17:00 pm on April 14 (Monday)

Onsite: Hong Yuan 311

Zoom:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/8089091002?pwd=41b3XmBTQ6eabKYdIbyjyaHgBaxoG4.1&omn=89057630935

Abstract: This study investigates how teachers’ stereotypes about non-local students affect academic achievement, behavior, and mental well-being in Chinese middle schools. Leveraging a natural experiment with random classroom assignments, we find that biased beliefs, particularly among Chinese teachers, significantly lower non-local students’ test scores and increase behavioral problems. Mechanism analysis suggests these outcomes result from reduced teacher-parent engagement, weaker classroom integration, decreased academic effort, and diminished self-confidence. Non-local boys face greater negative consequences, whereas girls partially mitigate these effects through increased effort. Additionally, negative impacts intensify when teachers hold dual roles as subject and head teachers, and as students’ duration of local residency increases. These results highlight the critical influence of teacher stereotypes on disparities in human capital development between local and non-local students.