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

Joshua Angrist and Victor Lavy

American Economic Review, 2009, vol. 99, issue 4, 1384-1414

Abstract: 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)

JEL-codes: I21 I28 J16 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2009
Note: DOI: 10.1257/aer.99.4.1384
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (301)

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