Is there a Causal Effect of High School Math on Labor Market Outcomes?

Juanna Joensen and Helena Nielsen

No 2357, IZA Discussion Papers from Institute of Labor Economics (IZA)

Abstract: Outsourcing of jobs to low-wage countries has increased the focus on the accumulation of skills – such as Math skills – in high-wage countries. In this paper, we exploit a high school pilot scheme to identify the causal effect of advanced high school Math on labor market outcomes. The pilot scheme reduced the costs of choosing advanced Math because it allowed for at more flexible combination of Math with other courses. We find clear evidence of a causal relationship between Math and earnings for the students who are induced to choose Math after being exposed to the pilot scheme. The effect partly stems from the fact that these students end up with higher education.

Keywords: high school curriculum; instrumental variable; local average treatment effect; Math (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I20 J24 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 44 pages
Date: 2006-10
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-edu, nep-hrm, nep-lab and nep-ure
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (15)

Published - revised version published in: Journal of Human Resources, 2009, 44 (1), 171-198

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Related works:
Journal Article: Is there a Causal Effect of High School Math on Labor Market Outcomes? (2009)
Working Paper: Is there a Causal Effect of High School Math on Labor Market Outcomes? (2006)
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