Effects of a French remedial program on pupils' educational outcomes

Few studies have examined the French “Networks for Specialized Assistance to Pupils in Difficulty” (Rased). In this article, we evaluate the impact of receiving Rased services in the first year of primary schooling on academic success. Using data from a national panel study, we find inconsistency in student selection within Rased. Using matching methods, our results reveal that pupils who benefited from the program school have a higher probability of grade repetition and obtain significantly lower scores on the third grade national assessment, particularly in mathematics, compared to pupils with similar characteristics who did not take part in the program. This impact seems particularly negative for pupils with less prior academic and behavioural difficulties.