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Targeting High School Scholarships to the Poor: The Impact of a Program in Mexico

Author

Listed:
  • Rafael de Hoyos
  • Orazio Attanasio
  • Costas Meghir

Abstract

On the basis of a randomized controlled trial, we evaluate a scholarship program in Mexico, Programa de Becas Educación Media Superior (PROBEMS), aimed at improving graduation rates and test scores among upper secondary school students from poor backgrounds. We find that, on average, the program has no effect on either graduation rates or math and Spanish test scores. We point to two possible reasons for this failure: (i) the program was badly targeted, with many of the recipients being from less disadvantaged families than intended; and (ii) the prior academic achievement of those eligible was often insufficient for successful completion of the academic requirements of upper secondary school. This points to accumulated achievement deficits that could be addressed by interventions targeting learning at an earlier stage.

Suggested Citation

  • Rafael de Hoyos & Orazio Attanasio & Costas Meghir, 2024. "Targeting High School Scholarships to the Poor: The Impact of a Program in Mexico," Economic Development and Cultural Change, University of Chicago Press, vol. 72(4), pages 1747-1768.
    • Handle: RePEc:ucp:ecdecc:doi:10.1086/725232
    DOI: 10.1086/725232
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    1. is not listed on IDEAS
    2. Angrist, Noam & de Barros, Andreas & Bhula, Radhika & Chakera, Shiraz & Cummiskey, Chris & DeStefano, Joseph & Floretta, John & Kaffenberger, Michelle & Piper, Benjamin & Stern, Jonathan, 2021. "Building back better to avert a learning catastrophe: Estimating learning loss from COVID-19 school shutdowns in Africa and facilitating short-term and long-term learning recovery," International Journal of Educational Development, Elsevier, vol. 84(C).
    3. Mauricio Romero & Juan Bedoya & Monica Yanez‐Pagans & Marcela Silveyra & Rafael de Hoyos, 2024. "The effect of school grants on test scores: experimental evidence from Mexico," Economica, London School of Economics and Political Science, vol. 91(363), pages 980-995, July.

    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • I24 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Education and Inequality
    • I25 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Education and Economic Development
    • I28 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Government Policy

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