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Bias-Corrected Estimates of GED Returns

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Author Info
James J. Heckman (University of Chicago and American Bar Foundation)
Paul A. LaFontaine (Center for Social Program Evaluation, American Bar Foundation)

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Abstract

Using three sources of data, this article examines the direct economic return to General Educational Development (GED) certification for both native and immigrant high school dropouts. One data source—the Current Population Survey (CPS)—is plagued by nonresponse and allocation bias from the hot deck procedure that biases the estimated return to the GED upward. Correcting for allocation bias and ability bias, there is no direct economic return to GED certification. An apparent return to GED certification with age found in the raw CPS data is due to dropouts becoming more skilled over time. These results apply to both native-born and immigrant populations.

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File URL: http://www.journals.uchicago.edu/cgi-bin/resolve?JOLE240309
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Publisher Info
Article provided by University of Chicago Press in its journal Journal of Labor Economics.

Volume (Year): 24 (2006)
Issue (Month): 3 (July)
Pages: 661-700
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Handle: RePEc:ucp:jlabec:v:24:y:2006:i:3:p:661-700

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References listed on IDEAS
Please report citation or reference errors to , or , if you are the registered author of the cited work, log in to your RePEc Author Service profile, click on "citations" and make appropriate adjustments.:
  1. Heckman, James J, 1979. "Sample Selection Bias as a Specification Error," Econometrica, Econometric Society, vol. 47(1), pages 153-61, January. [Downloadable!] (restricted)
  2. James J. Heckman & Jora Stixrud & Sergio Urzua, 2006. "The Effects of Cognitive and Noncognitive Abilities on Labor Market Outcomes and Social Behavior," NBER Working Papers 12006, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc. [Downloadable!] (restricted)
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  3. John M. Barron & Mark C. Berger & Dan A. Black, 2006. "Selective Counteroffers," Journal of Labor Economics, University of Chicago Press, vol. 24(3), pages 385-410, July. [Downloadable!]
  4. Cameron, Stephen V & Heckman, James J, 1993. "The Nonequivalence of High School Equivalents," Journal of Labor Economics, University of Chicago Press, vol. 11(1), pages 1-47, January. [Downloadable!] (restricted)
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  5. Barry T. Hirsch & Edward J. Schumacher, 2004. "Match Bias in Wage Gap Estimates Due to Earnings Imputation," Journal of Labor Economics, University of Chicago Press, vol. 22(3), pages 585-614, July. [Downloadable!]
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Cited by:
(explanations, Please report citation or reference errors to , or , if you are the registered author of the cited work, log in to your RePEc Author Service profile, click on "citations" and make appropriate adjustments.)

  1. James J. Heckman & Lance J. Lochner & Petra E. Todd, 2008. "Earnings Functions and Rates of Return," University of Western Ontario, CIBC Human Capital and Productivity Project Working Papers 20082, University of Western Ontario, CIBC Human Capital and Productivity Project. [Downloadable!]
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  2. James J. Heckman & Paul A. LaFontaine & Pedro L. Rodriguez, 2008. "Taking the Easy Way Out: How the GED Testing Program Induces Students to Drop Out," NBER Working Papers 14044, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc. [Downloadable!] (restricted)
  3. Eliasson, Kent, 2006. "How Robust is the Evidence on the Returns to College Choice? Results Using Swedish Administrative Data," UmeÃ¥ Economic Studies 692, Umeå University, Department of Economics. [Downloadable!]
  4. James J. Heckman & Dimitriy V. Masterov, 2007. "The Productivity Argument for Investing in Young Children," NBER Working Papers 13016, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc. [Downloadable!] (restricted)
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  5. James J. Heckman & Lance J. Lochner & Petra E. Todd, 2005. "Earnings Functions, Rates of Return and Treatment Effects: The Mincer Equation and Beyond," IZA Discussion Papers 1700, Institute for the Study of Labor (IZA). [Downloadable!]
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  6. James J. Heckman & Paul A. LaFontaine, 2007. "The American High School Graduation Rate: Trends and Levels," IZA Discussion Papers 3216, Institute for the Study of Labor (IZA). [Downloadable!]
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  7. Eliasson, Kent, 2006. "College Choice And Earnings Among University Graduates In Sweden," UmeÃ¥ Economic Studies 693, Umeå University, Department of Economics. [Downloadable!]
  8. Heckman, James J. & LaFontaine, Paul A. & Rodríguez, Pedro L., 2008. "Taking the Easy Way Out: How the GED Testing Program Induces Students to Drop Out," IZA Discussion Papers 3495, Institute for the Study of Labor (IZA). [Downloadable!]
  9. Eliasson, Kent, 2006. "The Role of Ability in Estimating the Returns to College Choice: New Swedish Evidence," UmeÃ¥ Economic Studies 691, Umeå University, Department of Economics. [Downloadable!]
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