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Modeling Student Effort: Flat Tires and Dead Batteries

Author

Listed:
  • Joshua J. Lewer
  • Colin Corbett
  • Tanya M. Marcum
  • Jannett Highfill

Abstract

This article develops a student effort model that considers several uncertainties students face: the chance of missing an exam as well as the uncertainty associated with translating knowledge into an exam grade. The model suggests that student effort increases when makeup exams are offered and when grading protocols are adopted that reduce knowledge-to-grade frictions; effects on student utility depend on time endowments, and leisure preferences. JEL Classifications : A20, D81, I21

Suggested Citation

  • Joshua J. Lewer & Colin Corbett & Tanya M. Marcum & Jannett Highfill, 2021. "Modeling Student Effort: Flat Tires and Dead Batteries," The American Economist, Sage Publications, vol. 66(2), pages 301-314, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:amerec:v:66:y:2021:i:2:p:301-314
    DOI: 10.1177/0569434521991044
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Gerald S. Oettinger, 2002. "The Effect Of Nonlinear Incentives On Performance: Evidence From "Econ 101"," The Review of Economics and Statistics, MIT Press, vol. 84(3), pages 509-517, August.
    2. Uri Gneezy & John A. List & Jeffrey A. Livingston & Xiangdong Qin & Sally Sadoff & Yang Xu, 2019. "Measuring Success in Education: The Role of Effort on the Test Itself," American Economic Review: Insights, American Economic Association, vol. 1(3), pages 291-308, December.
    3. Steven D. Levitt & John A. List & Susanne Neckermann & Sally Sadoff, 2016. "The Behavioralist Goes to School: Leveraging Behavioral Economics to Improve Educational Performance," American Economic Journal: Economic Policy, American Economic Association, vol. 8(4), pages 183-219, November.
    4. Michaelis, Jochen & Schwanebeck, Benjamin, 2016. "Examination rules and student effort," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 145(C), pages 65-68.
    5. Oskar Harmon & William Alpert & Archita Banik & James Lambrinos, 2015. "Class Absence, Instructor Lecture Notes, Intellectual Styles, and Learning Outcomes," Atlantic Economic Journal, Springer;International Atlantic Economic Society, vol. 43(3), pages 349-361, September.
    6. Valentina Paredes, 2017. "Grading System and Student Effort," Education Finance and Policy, MIT Press, vol. 12(1), pages 107-128, Winter.
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Lewer, Joshua L. & Corbett, Colin & Marcum, Tanya M. & Highfill, Jannett, 2022. "Who Fills the Seats? Offering Extra Credit and Instructor Perceptions of Who Will Attend," Applied Economics Teaching Resources (AETR), Agricultural and Applied Economics Association, vol. 4(4), September.
    2. Bertola, Giuseppe, 2024. "Retake opportunities, pass probabilities and preparation for exams," Research in Economics, Elsevier, vol. 78(1), pages 99-114.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    student effort model; makeup exam; decision-making; uncertainty;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • A20 - General Economics and Teaching - - Economic Education and Teaching of Economics - - - General
    • D81 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Criteria for Decision-Making under Risk and Uncertainty
    • I21 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Analysis of Education

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