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The Intergenerational Effects of Compulsory Schooling

Author

Listed:
  • Ann Huff Stevens
  • Marianne Page
  • Philip Oreopoulos

    (Department of Economics, University of California Davis)

Abstract

The strong correlation between parents? economic status and that of their children hasbeen well-documented, but little is known about the extent to which this is a causal phenomenon.This paper attempts to improve our understanding of the causal processes that contribute tointergenerational immobility by exploiting historical changes in compulsory schooling laws thataffected the educational attainment of parents without affecting their innate abilities orendowments. We examine the influence of parental compulsory schooling on children?s gradefor-age using the 1960, 1970 and 1980 U.S. Censuses. Our estimates indicate that a one-yearincrease in the education of either parent reduces the probability that a child repeats a grade bybetween two to four percentage points. Among 15 to 16 year olds living at home, we alsoestimate that parental compulsory schooling significantly lowers the likelihood of dropping out.These findings suggest that education policies may be able to reduce part of the intergenerationaltransmission of inequality.

Suggested Citation

  • Ann Huff Stevens & Marianne Page & Philip Oreopoulos, 2005. "The Intergenerational Effects of Compulsory Schooling," Working Papers 34, University of California, Davis, Department of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:cda:wpaper:34
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Compulsory Schooling;

    JEL classification:

    • J62 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Mobility, Unemployment, Vacancies, and Immigrant Workers - - - Job, Occupational and Intergenerational Mobility; Promotion
    • I20 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - General

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