The Effects of High Stakes High School Achievement Awards: Evidence from a Randomized Trial

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Angrist, Joshua; Lavy, Victor
• 署名单位: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT); National Bureau of Economic Research; Hebrew University of Jerusalem; University of London
• 刊物名称: AMERICAN ECONOMIC REVIEW
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0002-8282
• DOI: 10.1257/aer.99.4.1384
• 发表日期: 2009
• 页码: 1384-1414
• 关键词: gender-differences; inference; intervention; vouchers; working; promise

摘要

The Israeli matriculation certificate is a prerequisite for most postsecondary schooling. In a randomized trial, we attempted to increase certification rates among low-achievers with cash incentives. The experiment used a school-based randomization design offering awards to all who passed their exams in treated schools. This led to a substantial increase in certification rates for girls but had no effect on boys. Affected girls had a relatively high ex ante chance of certification. The increase in girls' matriculation rates translated into an increased likelihood of college attendance. Female matriculation rates increased partly because treated girls devoted extra time to exam preparation. (JEL I21, I28, J16)