Freed students, unsatisfied parents: Evidence from the Free Semester Program in South Korea

Abstract

This study examines the impact of the Free Semester Program (FSP) on parental satisfaction in South Korean middle schools. Leveraging data from the 2012 Gyeonggi Education Panel Study, we employ a difference-in-differences methodology that exploits variations in FSP implementation across schools. Our findings indicate that the FSP significantly reduces parental satisfaction, a result that remains robust across multiple control variables. Moreover, the effect varies by household characteristics, with underprivileged families experiencing a sharper decline in parental satisfaction. Our findings underscore the need for policymakers to consider parental perspectives when designing and implementing education reforms.