Incentives to Learn

Michael Kremer, Edward Miguel and Rebecca Thorton
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Michael Kremer: Department of Economics, Harvard University
Edward Miguel: Department of Economics, University of California, Berkeley
Rebecca Thorton: Department of Economics, Harvard University

No 1060, Center for International and Development Economics Research, Working Paper Series from Center for International and Development Economics Research, Institute for Business and Economic Research, UC Berkeley

Abstract: We report results from a randomized evaluation of a merit scholarship program for adolescent girls in Kenya. Girls who scored well on academic exams had their school fees paid and received a cash grant for school supplies. Girls eligible for the scholarship showed significant gains in academic exam scores (average gain 0.12-0.19 standard deviations) and these gains persisted following the competition. There is also evidence of positive program externalities on learning: boys, who were ineligible for the awards, also showed sizeable average test gains, as did girls with low pretest scores, who were unlikely to win. Both student and teacher school attendance increased in the program schools. We discuss implications both for understanding the nature of educational production functions and for the policy debate surrounding merit scholarships.

Keywords: Education; merit scholarships; externalities (search for similar items in EconPapers)
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-edu, nep-hrm and nep-ure
Date: 2004-10-01
Note: oai:cdlib1:iber/cider-1060
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