Does Compulsory Schooling Affect Innovation? Evidence from the United States

Abstract

Objective U.S. states adopted compulsory schooling laws between 1852 and 1929. This is the first study to empirically test the historical relationship between the adoption of state‐level compulsory schooling laws and measures of innovation and entrepreneurship such as the number of patents per capita and output per worker. Methods We use difference‐in‐difference and event study methods to estimate the effects of these laws. Results Our results suggest that the adoption of compulsory schooling in the United States reduced patents per capita and output per worker over time. Conclusion Compulsory schooling laws may have reduced innovation and productivity by reducing home education in favor of formal schooling or by changing the nature of formal schooling.

Research on the core ability cultivation mechanism of college students returning to their hometowns for innovation and entrepreneurship under the strategy of rural revitalization

“…Eq. (16) The relationship between the endogenous observed variables and the endogenous structural variables is the factor loading matrix of the endogenous observed variables on the endogenous structural variables.…”

“…Literature [15] analyzed students' preferences for each stage of innovation and entrepreneurship based on the Moore-Bygrave Entrepreneurship Laddering Framework, and these insights and takeaways can help to tailor innovation and entrepreneurship education to students in different situations in order to increase students' overall innovation and entrepreneurship education interest and ability. Literature [16] conducted an in-depth examination and investigation of how compulsory education affects students' innovation and entrepreneurship preferences and concluded that compulsory education inhibits students' ability to innovate and their curiosity to explore the world.…”

The causal nexus between innovation and economic growth: An OECD study

“…Innovation is not a sensation of modern society, rather it walks together with and sometimes leads the human civilization since its primitive era. Innovation brings changes in human behavior, the ratio of production factors, and life use (DeAngelis and Dills 2020; Jeong and Alhanaee 2020; Staples 2020). Innovation produces new ideas and enriched production means making the goods viable and more marketable.…”

Construction and Implementation of Innovation and Entrepreneurship Education System in Colleges and Universities in the Internet Era

“…The Implementation Opinions on Deepening the Reform of Innovation and Entrepreneurship Education in Colleges and Universities issued by the General Office of the State Council in 2015 mark that the country has taken Innovation and entrepreneurship education as a core strategy [1][2][3]. As an important base for talent cultivation and a power source for social Innovation and development, colleges and universities play an important role in building an innovative country [4][5]. As the goal of Innovation and entrepreneurship education, colleges and universities must follow the trend, correctly position themselves, effectively adjust, and make due contributions to the realization of the new goal, and further promote the national strategy of developing the country through science and education and the strategy of strengthening the country through talents [6][7].…”