Research

Working Papers

The impact of early grade repetition on test scores: Evidence from a regression discontinuity design in South Africa

Resep working paper, 2025.

Uses administrative data for six provinces and an RD design to estimate the causal impact of Grade 1 and Grade 4 repetition on later achievement.

Linguistic interdependence? Foundation Phase mastery in home language as a predictor of grade 4 repetition and EFAL marks

Resep working paper, 2025.

Studies the relationship between Foundation Phase language proficiency and later academic outcomes.

From Grade 7 arithmetic to matric: A quantitative evaluation of the Numeric afterschool maths program

Evaluation report, 2024.

Randomised evaluation of an after-school programme for primary school learners in South Africa, estimating causal impacts on academic outcomes up to high school completion.

Growing apart: Tracking the pro-girl achievement gap across early grades in South African primary schools

(Co-authored with Dr Gabrielle Wills)

Manuscript under revision for journal submission, 2026.

Responsible for data analysis and contributed to empirical strategy.

In Progress

Late-stage grade retention and final schooling outcomes: Regression discontinuity evidence from South Africa

Uses administrative data for six provinces and an RD design to estimate the impact of Grade 10 or Grade 11 repetition on National Senior Certificate outcomes including graduation and dropout.