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Education legislations that equalize: a study of compulsory schooling law reforms in post-WWII United States

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  • Ji Liu

    (Shaanxi Normal University)

Abstract

Compulsory schooling laws are commonly believed to be effective measures in ensuring individuals benefit from education. However, their implications for racial equality are less-apparent. Exploiting timing and geographic variation in legislation reforms among Southern U.S. states, this study evaluates the differential impact of minimum school-leaving age requirements on short- and long-term labor market outcomes between Black and White men. Results show that each additional year of compulsory schooling produces about 7.3–8.2% increase in adulthood weekly income. While there exists a substantial gap in returns to education between Black and White men at early career stages, this gap is reduced by 37 percentage points at mid-late career. Findings imply that mandating compulsory school attendance motivates both Black and White men to stay in school longer, and thus reducing racial gaps in returns to education.

Suggested Citation

  • Ji Liu, 2024. "Education legislations that equalize: a study of compulsory schooling law reforms in post-WWII United States," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 11(1), pages 1-12, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:pal:palcom:v:11:y:2024:i:1:d:10.1057_s41599-024-03460-0
    DOI: 10.1057/s41599-024-03460-0
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