Second Chance for High School Dropouts? A Regression Discontinuity Analysis of Postsecondary Educational Returns to the GED

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Jepsen, Christopher; Mueser, Peter; Troske, Kenneth
• 署名单位: University College Dublin; University of Missouri System; University of Missouri Columbia; University of Kentucky
• 刊物名称: JOURNAL OF LABOR ECONOMICS
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0734-306X
• DOI: 10.1086/691391
• 发表日期: 2017
• 页码: S273-S304
• 关键词: labor-market returns; designs

摘要

We evaluate the educational returns to General Educational Development (GED) certification using state administrative data. We use fuzzy regression discontinuity (FRD) methods to account for the fact that GED test-takers can repeatedly retake the test until they pass it and the fact that test-takers have to pass all five subtests before receiving the GED. We find that the GED increases the likelihood of postsecondary attendance and course completion substantially but that the GED impact on overall credits completed is modest; the GED causes an average increment of only two credits for men and six credits for women.