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Does Remedial Education in Late Childhood Pay Off After All? Long-Run Consequences for University Schooling, Labor Market Outcomes, and Intergenerational Mobility

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  • Victor Lavy
  • Assaf Kott
  • Genia Rachkovski

Abstract

We analyze the long-term effects of a high school remedial education program almost two decades after its implementation. Treated students experienced an 11% increase in completed years of postsecondary schooling, a 4% increase in annual earnings, and a significant increase in intergenerational income mobility. These gains reflect improvement of students mainly from below-median-income families. We conclude that the program had gains beyond the short-term significant improvements in high school matriculation exams. A cost-benefit analysis of the program suggests that the government will recover its cost within 7–8 years, implying a very high rate of return.

Suggested Citation

  • Victor Lavy & Assaf Kott & Genia Rachkovski, 2022. "Does Remedial Education in Late Childhood Pay Off After All? Long-Run Consequences for University Schooling, Labor Market Outcomes, and Intergenerational Mobility," Journal of Labor Economics, University of Chicago Press, vol. 40(1), pages 239-282.
    • Handle: RePEc:ucp:jlabec:doi:10.1086/713742
    DOI: 10.1086/713742
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    Cited by:

    1. De Benedetto, Marco Alberto & De Paola, Maria & Scoppa, Vincenzo & Smirnova, Janna, 2022. "The long-run effects of college remedial education," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 216(C).
    2. Victor Lavy & Yoav Goldstein, 2022. "Gifted Children Programs’ Short and Long-Term Impact: Higher Education, Earnings, and the Knowledge Economy," NBER Working Papers 29779, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    3. Battaglia, Marianna & Lebedinski, Lara, 2022. "With a little help from my friends: Medium-Term effects of a remedial education program targeting Roma minority," Economics of Education Review, Elsevier, vol. 86(C).

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • I28 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Government Policy
    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity

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