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The effects of a special program for multi-problem school dropouts on educational enrolment, employment and criminal behaviour; Evidence from a field experiment

Author

Listed:
  • Roel van Elk

    (CPB Netherlands Bureau for Economic Policy Analysis)

  • Marc van der Steeg
  • Dinand Webbink

Abstract

This paper evaluates the effects of a special program designed to increase school enrolment and employment among multi-problem youths. Treated youths are guided by personal coaches and receive a comprehensive treatment of educational, work, and health services. We investigate the impact of the program by implementing a specific assignment rule such that treatment status depends in a deterministic way on an individual’s application date. We find evidence that assignment to the program increases criminal activity compared to standard intervention, especially among the subpopulation of youths who were suspected of a crime at the time of entry. Peer effects caused by grouping at-risk youths together may explain the adverse impact on criminal behaviour. We find statistically insignificant effects on school enrolment and employment.

Suggested Citation

  • Roel van Elk & Marc van der Steeg & Dinand Webbink, 2013. "The effects of a special program for multi-problem school dropouts on educational enrolment, employment and criminal behaviour; Evidence from a field experiment," CPB Discussion Paper 241, CPB Netherlands Bureau for Economic Policy Analysis.
    • Handle: RePEc:cpb:discus:241
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Heers, Marieke & Van Klaveren, Chris & Groot, Wim & van den Brink, Henriëtte Maassen, 2014. "The impact of community schools on student dropout in pre-vocational education," Economics of Education Review, Elsevier, vol. 41(C), pages 105-119.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    disadvantaged youths; school dropout; criminal behaviour; program evaluation;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I21 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Analysis of Education
    • I28 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Government Policy

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