Comprehensive school reform and labor market outcomes over the lifecycle: Evidence from Finland

Jani-Petteri Ollikainen

Labour Economics, 2021, vol. 68, issue C

Abstract: This study focused on the labor market effects of the Finnish comprehensive school reform in 1972–1977 over the lifecycle. The reform increased the age at which students are separated into vocational and general tracks from 11 to 16 as well as updated the curriculum to include more general content instead of vocational. Using longitudinal administrative register data and exploiting the gradual implementation of the reform, I found a negative effect on employment in early career and a positive effect later in the lifecycle. Results for labor earnings are more nuanced and sensitive to different model specifications, but a positive effect was found in the late career. After the reform, the treated were more likely to choose academic secondary education which could mediate the effects on employment. The results were similar for men and women.

Keywords: Comprehensive school; Vocational education; Employment; Earnings; Lifecycle (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I21 I28 J24 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:labeco:v:68:y:2021:i:c:s0927537120301561

DOI: 10.1016/j.labeco.2020.101952

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