Title: Developments in Measuring and Fostering Non-Cognitive Skills

Speaker: Tim Kautz, Mathematica Policy Research

Time: October 30th, 2017 13:30–15:00

Venue: Conference Room 106B, Zhonghui Building (College of Economics, JNU) 

About the speaker:

Tim Kautz is a researcher at Mathematica Policy Research. He has authored several papers and book chapters in the field of non-cognitive skill measurement and development. He is currently the director and co-principal investigator of a project entitled “Advancing the measurement of non-cognitive skills” that is exploring and validating novel measurements of non-cognitive skills for use among adolescents in schools. He is an editor and co-author of a book that explores the importance of social-emotional skills, “The Myth of Achievement Tests: The GED and the Role of Character in American Life.” He completed his undergraduate degree in economics at Stanford University and a PhD in Economics at the University of Chicago. He is a former National Science Foundation Fellow.

Abstract:

A growing body of evidence shows that commonly-used measures of human capital (IQ tests and achievement tests) miss important non-cognitive skills, such as persistence, self-control, and curiosity. This paper reviews the importance of incorporating non-cognitive skills into social policy and economic models. In particular, non-cognitive skills are a promising avenue for reducing inequality for four main reasons: (1) standard measures of human capital miss non-cognitive skills; (2) non-cognitive skills determine important life outcomes; (3) there are gaps in non-cognitive between advantaged and disadvantaged children; and (4) social programs can improve non-cognitive skills. Additionally, acknowledging non-cognitive skills can fundamentally change economic models and the results from evaluations of social programs.