In the late 1980s, a study called Project STAR was conducted in Tennessee, USA. 79 schools participated in a study to assess the impact of class size on learning. The study involved 11,000 students in different classrooms, from kindergarten to third grade (boys and girls aged 8-9). Some 30 years later, American economist Raj Chetty analyzed the data collected in this study to determine whether other factors influenced children’s long-term success.
What he found was surprising. Today, most people think that a person’s long-term success is usually determined by their academic level. But Raj Chetty’s study, without downplaying the influence of the academic world on people’s careers, showed that NON-ACADEMIC SKILLS PLAY A FUNDAMENTAL ROLE IN ACHIEVING LONG-TERM SUCCESS.
The STAR project initially focused on the impact of smaller class sizes and teacher quality on student achievement. But Chetty’s long-term follow-up revealed something even more profound: students who developed strong non-academic skills in their early years were much more likely to succeed later in life.
Here are THE NON-ACADEMIC SKILLS CHETTY HIGHLIGHTED IN HER RESEARCH AND WHY THESE NON-ACADEMIC SKILLS ARE IMPORTANT:
- PROACTIVITY: Students who learned to take initiative and responsibility for their learning early on were better prepared to meet challenges throughout their lives. Being proactive not only fostered academic growth, but also translated into leadership, career success, and financial stability as adults.
- PROSOCIAL BEHAVIOR: Building positive relationships and learning to collaborate effectively were key indicators of future success. Chetty found that students who exhibited social skills, such as empathy and cooperation, were more likely to thrive in their careers, communities, and personal lives.
- DETERMINATION: Persistence in the face of challenges was another vital trait. Chetty’s analysis showed that students who demonstrated determination and resilience were more likely to attend college and achieve higher earnings. These qualities helped them overcome both academic and real-world obstacles.
- DISCIPLINE: Perhaps one of the most influential factors was discipline. Chetty found that students who cultivated self-control and a strong work ethic from a young age were more likely to succeed in the long term. Discipline played a crucial role not only in their academic trajectories but also in building stable careers and achieving financial independence.
Chetty’s findings underscore that while academic achievement is important, fostering non-academic skills in children is equally crucial to long-term success. These qualities—proactivity, social cooperation, determination, and discipline—not only predict higher earnings and higher academic achievement but also personal fulfillment and social well-being.
Bottom line: Investing in early education must go beyond academics. By helping children develop these essential non-academic skills, we empower them to lead successful, resilient, and fulfilled lives. And let this reflection serve to educate and train not only children and adolescents but also adults.
I end with a quote from Raj Chetty that explains the idea of this post well: “Opportunities matter. And education is one of the keys that opens the doors to opportunities.”
