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High Schools Tailored To Adults Can Help Them Complete a Traditional Diploma and Excel in the Labor Market
High Schools Tailored To Adults Can Help Them Complete a Traditional Diploma and Excel in the Labor Market
Rebecca Brough
David C. Phillips
Patrick S. Turner
American Economic Journal: Economic Policy (Forthcoming)
Abstract
More than 18 million adults in the US have no high school credential. Later on, these adults
are less likely to earn full diplomas than GEDs, but diplomas are potentially more valuable.
A network of high schools helps adults graduate by providing a tailored curriculum, coaching for non-academic barriers, onsite child care, and transportation. After 5 years, earnings
increase by 38% more for graduates than applicants who do not enroll. We address selection
by conditioning on 5 years of pre-application earnings and comparing to students who exit
after positive shocks. Much of the wage gains can be accounted for by sectoral switching, and
evidence on completion of credentials is consistent with a human capital explanation for the
results.
