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Do Higher Real Minimum Wages Lead to More High School Dropouts? Evidence from Maryland Across Races, 1993–2004

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  • Stephanie O. Crofton
  • William L. Anderson
  • Emily C. Rawe

Abstract

We explore whether higher levels of the real minimum wage have differing effects on high school dropout rates across students of various races and ethnicities (whites, African Americans, Hispanics, and Asians). Using a panel of data across Maryland counties and annual observations in 1993–2004, we found higher real minimum wages to be associated with higher dropout rates for Hispanic students, but not for other races and ethnicities. We used a variety of model specifications and explanatory variables, including real income, the unemployment rate, teen pregnancy rates, and educational attainment among adults. Several of our findings are broadly consistent with commonly reported sociological observations regarding how behavioral choices may be affected by different levels across races and ethnicities of cultural integration of recent immigrants, family cohesiveness, the value placed on education, small business ownership, and hourly (vs. salaried) employment.

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  • Stephanie O. Crofton & William L. Anderson & Emily C. Rawe, 2009. "Do Higher Real Minimum Wages Lead to More High School Dropouts? Evidence from Maryland Across Races, 1993–2004," American Journal of Economics and Sociology, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 68(2), pages 445-464, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:ajecsc:v:68:y:2009:i:2:p:445-464
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1536-7150.2009.00632.x
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    2. Meltem Dayioglu & Müşerref Küçükbayrak & Semih Tumen, 2022. "The impact of age-specific minimum wages on youth employment and education: a regression discontinuity analysis," International Journal of Manpower, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 43(6), pages 1352-1377, March.
    3. Diana Alessandrini & Joniada Milla, 2024. "Minimum-Wage Effects on Human Capital Accumulation: Evidence from Canadian Data," Journal of Human Capital, University of Chicago Press, vol. 18(2), pages 346-376.
    4. Lance Wescher & Travis Hutchinson & Anna Rannou, 2019. "Minimum Wages, Employment, and College Enrollment," The American Economist, Sage Publications, vol. 64(1), pages 3-18, March.
    5. Hristos Doucouliagos & Katarina Zigova, 2024. "Minimum Wages and Human Capital Investment: A Meta-Regression Analysis," Economics of Education Working Paper Series 0219, University of Zurich, Department of Business Administration (IBW).

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