Modeling the Effects of Grade Retention in High School
39 Pages Posted: 4 Feb 2016
There are 2 versions of this paper
Modeling the Effects of Grade Retention in High School
Modeling the Effects of Grade Retention in High School
Date Written: December 23, 2015
Abstract
A dynamic discrete choice model is set up to estimate the effects of grade retention in high school, both in the short- (end-of-year evaluation) and long-run (drop-out and delay). In contrast to regression discontinuity designs, this approach captures treatment heterogeneity and controls for grade-varying unobservable determinants. A method is proposed to deal with initial conditions and with partial observability of the track choices at the start of high school. Forced track downgrading is considered as an alternative remedial measure. In the long-run, grade retention and its alternative have adverse effects on schooling outcomes and, more so, for less able pupils.
Keywords: education, grade retention, track mobility, dynamic discrete choice models, heterogeneous treatment effects
JEL Classification: C330, C350, I210
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation