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A randomized impact evaluation of a tuition-free private school targeting low income students in Uruguay

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  • Ana Inés Balsa

    (University of Montevideo)

  • Alejandro Cid

    (University of Montevideo)

Abstract

Using a randomized trial, we evaluate the impact of Liceo Jubilar, a tuition-free private school providing middle school education to poor students in Montevideo, Uruguay. The research compares adolescents randomly selected to enter the school with those not drawn in the school lottery. Several features of this school — the capacity to select personnel, a culture of high expectations, a safe and disciplined environment, differential teaching, extended instructional time, strong parental involvement, and a rich offer of extracurricular activities — contrast with the country’s highly centralized public education system. We find large positive impacts of Liceo Jubilar on students’ promotion rates and academic expectations. Our results shed light on new approaches to education that may contribute to improve opportunities for disadvantaged adolescents in developing countries.

Suggested Citation

  • Ana Inés Balsa & Alejandro Cid, 2016. "A randomized impact evaluation of a tuition-free private school targeting low income students in Uruguay," Journal of Applied Economics, Universidad del CEMA, vol. 19, pages 65-94, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:cem:jaecon:v:19:y:2016:n:1:p:65-94
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Ana Balsa & Alejandro Cid & Ana Laura Zardo, 2022. "Providing academic opportunities to vulnerable adolescents: a randomised evaluation of privately managed tuition-free middle schools in Uruguay," Journal of Development Effectiveness, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 14(4), pages 340-379, October.
    2. Edgardo Zablotsky, 2019. "Siete propuestas para continuar cambiando la realidad educativa," CEMA Working Papers: Serie Documentos de Trabajo. 696, Universidad del CEMA.
    3. Edgardo Zablotsky, 2020. "Postales sobre educación en la Argentina, 2019," CEMA Working Papers: Serie Documentos de Trabajo. 745, Universidad del CEMA.
    4. Cid, Alejandro, 2017. "Interventions Using Regular Activities to Engage High-Risk School-Age Youth: a Review of After-School Programs in Latin America and the Caribbean," MPRA Paper 84888, University Library of Munich, Germany.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    experimental evaluation; privately-managed education; poverty;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C93 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Field Experiments
    • I21 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Analysis of Education
    • I25 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Education and Economic Development
    • I28 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Government Policy

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