The Impact of Comprehensive Student Support on Crime: Evidence from the Pathways to Education Program

Adam Lavecchia, Philip Oreopoulos and Noah Spencer ()
Additional contact information
Noah Spencer: University of Toronto

No 16724, IZA Discussion Papers from Institute of Labor Economics (IZA)

Abstract: This study finds substantial reductions to criminal activity from the introduction of a comprehensive high school support program for disadvantaged youth living in the largest public housing project in Toronto. The program, called Pathways to Education, bundles supports such as regular coaching, tutoring, group activities, free public transportation tickets and bursaries for postsecondary education. In this paper, we use a difference-in-differences approach that compares students living in public housing communities where the program was offered to those living in communities where the program was not offered over time. We find that eligibility for Pathways reduces the likelihood of being charged with a crime by 32 percent at its Regent Park location. This effect is driven by a reduction in charges for breaking and entering, theft, mischief, other traffic offenses and Youth Criminal Justice Act offenses.

Keywords: youth programs; education and crime; at-risk youth (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I24 I26 I28 L31 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 31 pages
Date: 2024-01
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-edu, nep-law and nep-ure
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https://docs.iza.org/dp16724.pdf (application/pdf)

Related works:
Working Paper: The Impact of Comprehensive Student Support on Crime: Evidence from the Pathways to Education Program (2025)
Working Paper: The Impact of Comprehensive Student Support on Crime: Evidence from the Pathways to Education Program (2024)
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