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State Exit Exams and Graduation Rates: A Hierarchical SLX Modelling Approach

Author

Listed:
  • Joshua C. Hall

    (West Virginia University)

  • Donald J. Lacombe

    (Texas Tech University)

  • Shree B. Pokharel

    (West Virginia Legislature)

Abstract

The literature on high school exit exams has found both positive and negative effects of these high stake exams on high school graduation rates. To this point the literature has not taken into account the embedded nature of school districts within state education systems. We employ a Bayesian Hierarchical SLX model to account for the hierachical nature of education data in the United States. Our approach also allows us to account for spatial spillovers that influence graduation rates across districts and states. Using school district and state-level data for 45 states and 8194 school districts in the United States in 2015, we generally find no statistically significant effect of state exit exams on high school graduation rates. Random effect coefficients, however, point towards high school exit exams being negatively associated with graduation rates in a handful of states.

Suggested Citation

  • Joshua C. Hall & Donald J. Lacombe & Shree B. Pokharel, 2020. "State Exit Exams and Graduation Rates: A Hierarchical SLX Modelling Approach," Working Papers 20-05, Department of Economics, West Virginia University.
    • Handle: RePEc:wvu:wpaper:20-05
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    File URL: https://researchrepository.wvu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1043&context=econ_working-papers
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Spatial dependence; Bayesian statistics; hierarchical modelling; state exit exams;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C11 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric and Statistical Methods and Methodology: General - - - Bayesian Analysis: General
    • C21 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Single Equation Models; Single Variables - - - Cross-Sectional Models; Spatial Models; Treatment Effect Models
    • C30 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Multiple or Simultaneous Equation Models; Multiple Variables - - - General

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