Uses Current Population Survey data to develop dynamic and expected rates of return to high school and college between 1967-95, considering effects of annual changes in institutional costs and real earnings within each age group. Dynamic college returns (for older age groups) exceeded 13 percent for both sexes. (Contains 49 references.) (MLH)

Examines educational variables' effects on income distribution, using cross-sectional data covering 59 countries. Empirical results show that a higher level of educational attainment in the labor force has an equalizing effect on income distribution; the larger the dispersion of educational attainment among the workforce, the greater the income…

Reestimates the P-test in the United Kingdom, correcting for the possible endogeneity of employment sector. Results do not support the strong screening hypothesis. After accounting for selectivity bias regarding choice of employment sector, the rate of return for the private sector is still higher than for the public sector. In 1985, an extra year…

The California Postsecondary Education Commission recently adopted three reports dealing with postsecondary education and the economy, as part of its Higher Education Performance and Accountability Framework. The reports examined three specific measures: (1) Educational attainment of the population; (2) Links between degree attainment and…

This paper measures the relationship between employment growth and employment opportunities for noncollege-educated males, examining variations across metropolitan areas in the living-wage employment ratio for prime-aged males with at most a high school education (less educated). Living-wage employment is full-time, year-round employment yielding…

This report examines education and the economic rewards to education among Hispanic Americans, documenting the gap in educational outcomes for Hispanics relative to non-Hispanic Whites. It also provides evidence about the increasing importance of education to economic success among Hispanics in the new economy, highlighting the high-paying sector…

Uses Greek data for 1981 and 1985 to test screening hypothesis by replicating method proposed by Psacharopoulos. Credentialism, or sheepskin effect of education, directly challenges human capital theory, which views education as a productivity augmenting process. Results do not support the strong version of the screening hypothesis and suggest…

Employers often use education and other ability measures as indicators of unmeasured ability dimensions. This paper presents tests of signaling, relying on differences in earnings functions for salaried individuals in screened occupations versus self-employed individuals in unscreened positions. Vocational associate degrees and high school grades…

Employs Portuguese data to test competing hypotheses about effects of over- and under-education on earnings. The human capital trade-off theory seems irrelevant. The hypothesis of technology-produced pockets of over- and under-education is consistent with Portugal's efforts to promote economic growth, modernize industry, and upgrade educational…

Using data from the National Longitudinal Survey Youth Cohort, estimates probability of drug use (illicit drugs, hard drugs, and marijuana only) across racial groups in relation to formal educational attainment. Adolescent drug use (in all three categories) reduces their educational attainment by about 1 year. (Contains 21 references.) (MLH)

Considers the variation in wage differentials by educational attainment level in Japan. Although Japanese wage structure is moving in a comparatively steady manner, the wage differential between college and junior college graduates among male workers has become wider since 1976. This phenomenon is explained mainly by changes in labor supply. (MLH)

To help inform policymakers and the public about the progress of education in the United States, Congress has mandated that the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) produce an annual report, "The Condition of Education." This year's report presents 42 indicators on important topics and trends in U.S. education. These…

In this paper we evaluate the labour market value of basic skills in the UK, focusing on the wage and employment returns to having better literacy and numeracy skills. We draw on literacy and numeracy assessments undertaken by all cohort members of the UK 1970 British Cohort Study. The data used are very rich and allow us to account for potential…

During the early Nineties the proportion of UK graduates doubled over a very short period of time. This paper investigates the effect of the expansion on early labour market attainment, focusing on over-education. We define over-education by combining occupation codes and a self-reported measure for the appropriateness of the match between…

Rural workers earn lower wages than nonrural workers, a difference attributed to lower returns to worker characteristics. This paper examines racial and gender differences among rural workers and provides evidence of the structure of wages faced by American Indians. Data were drawn from the 1987 National Medical Expenditures Survey (NMES) and the…