Parent Child Preferences and School Choice: Evidence from Kenyan Schools

In the proposed research, I will first document the extent to which parent and child preferences for secondary school are misaligned, leading to sub-optimal secondary schooling choices. I will then implement a randomized-controlled-trial in 175 Kenyan primary schools that seeks to encourage parent-child communication and align preferences for secondary school by introducing two interventions: (1) a parent-teacher-child-meeting and (2) a parent-child meeting. To evaluate the effect of these interventions on parental decision-making and educational outcomes, I will use lab-in-the-field methods to determine parent preferences for investing in school and match the survey data with administrative records on secondary school application, entrance exam score, and secondary school enrollment.