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Empowering parents to improve education: Evidence from rural Mexico

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Listed:
  • Gertler, Paul J.
  • Patrinos, Harry Anthony
  • Rubio-Codina, Marta

Abstract

We examine a very inexpensive program in Mexico that involves parents directly in the management of schools located in disadvantaged rural communities. The program, known as AGE, finances parent associations and motivates parental participation by involving them in the management of primary school grants. We find that AGE reduced grade failure by 7.4% and grade repetition by 5.5% in grades 1 through 3. However, while AGE was effective in poor communities, it had no effect in extremely poor communities.

Suggested Citation

  • Gertler, Paul J. & Patrinos, Harry Anthony & Rubio-Codina, Marta, 2012. "Empowering parents to improve education: Evidence from rural Mexico," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 99(1), pages 68-79.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:deveco:v:99:y:2012:i:1:p:68-79
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jdeveco.2011.09.004
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    School-based management; Impact evaluation; Mexico;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I20 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - General
    • I21 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Analysis of Education
    • I28 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Government Policy

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