High School Track Choice and Non-Cognitive Skills: Evidence from Italy using PISA and INVALSI Data

This study examines the impact of high school track selection on the non- cognitive skills of Italian students. Using data from PISA 2022, merged with INVALSI data, both a selection-on-observables approach and a 2SLS model are employed to address the endogenous self-selection of students into academic and vocational tracks. The findings reveal that choosing an academic track decreases stress resistance. The analysis explores heterogeneity across subgroups. While ac- knowledging limitations due to the absence of pre-treatment outcome measures, the study emphasizes the need for targeted interventions to mitigate the negative effects of track choice on non-cognitive skill development.