Causal effects of mathematics

Torberg Falch, Ole Henning Nyhus and Bjarne Strøm

Labour Economics, 2014, vol. 31, issue C, 174-187

Abstract: This paper exploits that students at age 16 in Norway are randomly selected into one compulsory exit exam in either mathematics or languages. A few days before the actual exam day, the students are notified about exam subject. The students have an intensive preparation period, and examination in mathematics relative to languages is found to decrease dropout from high school, increase enrollment in higher education, and increase enrollment in natural science and technology education programs. Overall, the causal effects seem to be somewhat stronger for males than for females, but the analysis indicates that gender differences interact in complicated ways with prior skills in mathematics. We explore several mechanisms that might contribute to the findings.

Keywords: Mathematical training; Intervention; External exit examination; High school graduation; Higher education (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I21 J24 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2014
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (9)

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Working Paper: Causal effects of mathematics (2013)
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:labeco:v:31:y:2014:i:c:p:174-187

DOI: 10.1016/j.labeco.2014.07.016

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