Taking the Easy Way Out: How the GED Testing Program Induces Students to Drop Out

James Heckman, John Humphries, Paul LaFontaine () and Pedro L. Rodríguez ()
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Pedro L. Rodríguez: IESA

No 3495, IZA Discussion Papers from Institute of Labor Economics (IZA)

Abstract: The option to obtain a General Education Development (GED) certificate changes the incentives facing high school students. This paper evaluates the effect of three different GED policy innovations on high school graduation rates. A six point decrease in the GED pass rate due to an increase in national passing standards produced a 1.3 point decline in overall high school dropout rates. The introduction of a GED certification program in high schools in Oregon produced a four percent decrease in high school graduation rates. Introduction of GED certificates for civilians in California increased the high school dropout rate by 3 points. The GED program induces students to drop out of high school.

Keywords: dropout; GED (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: C61 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 121 pages
Date: 2008-05
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-ure
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (10)

Published - published in: Journal of Labor Economics, 2012, 30 (3), 495-520

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Related works:
Journal Article: Taking the Easy Way Out: How the GED Testing Program Induces Students to Drop Out (2012)
Working Paper: Taking the Easy Way Out: How the GED Testing Program Induces Students to Drop Out (2008)
Working Paper: Taking the Easy Way Out: How the GED Testing Program Induces Students to Drop Out (2008)
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