ERIC Number: ED609937
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2020-Jul
Pages: 35
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-
EISSN: N/A
The Effects of Educational Supports for the "Missing One-Offs" in Vocational High Schools. CEPA Working Paper No. 20-07
Dee, Thomas S.; Pérez-Núñez, Graciela I.
Stanford Center for Education Policy Analysis
A growing body of evidence suggests that vocationally focused programs of study substantially improve high-school completion and longer-run economic success. However, the corresponding recommendations to expand vocational programs may have unintended, negative consequences for low-income, academically successful students (i.e., the "missing one offs") who have the capacity and motivation to attend highly selective universities. This study contributes to our understanding of these issues by examining an innovative, college-preparatory program targeted to academically successful Chilean students attending vocational high schools serving lower-income communities. This program (Escuela Desarrollo de Talentos or EDT) provides academic and social-emotional supports aligned with admission to selective universities. We examine the educational effects of EDT participation using a fuzzy regression-discontinuity design based on its eligibility rules. We find that the EDT program did not increase the probability of graduating from high school but did increase performance in math courses. We also find corresponding evidence suggesting that EDT participation increased math performance on college entrance exams and shifted students away from further postsecondary vocational training and towards matriculation at elite universities.
Descriptors: Vocational High Schools, College Preparation, Low Income Students, High Achievement, High School Students, Academic Education, Social Emotional Learning, Foreign Countries, Program Effectiveness, Academic Achievement, Graduation, College Entrance Examinations, Colleges, Selective Admission, College Admission
Stanford Center for Education Policy Analysis. 520 Galvez Mall, CERAS Building, 5th Floor, Stanford, CA 94305. Tel: 650-736-1258; Fax: 650-723-9931; e-mail: contactcepa@stanford.edu; Web site: http://cepa.stanford.edu
Publication Type: Reports - Research; Numerical/Quantitative Data
Education Level: High Schools; Secondary Education; Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: Stanford Center for Education Policy Analysis (CEPA)
Identifiers - Location: Chile
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A