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  5. High Schools Tailored To Adults Can Help Them Complete a Traditional Diploma and Excel in the Labor Market

American Economic Journal:
Economic Policy

ISSN 1945-7731 (Print) | ISSN 1945-774X (Online)

High Schools Tailored To Adults Can Help Them Complete a Traditional Diploma and Excel in the Labor Market

  • Rebecca Brough
  • David C. Phillips
  • Patrick S. Turner
American Economic Journal: Economic Policy (Forthcoming)

Abstract

More than 18 million adults in the US have no high school credential. Later on, these adults are less likely to earn full diplomas than GEDs, but diplomas are potentially more valuable. A network of high schools helps adults graduate by providing a tailored curriculum, coaching for non-academic barriers, onsite child care, and transportation. After 5 years, earnings increase by 38% more for graduates than applicants who do not enroll. We address selection by conditioning on 5 years of pre-application earnings and comparing to students who exit after positive shocks. Much of the wage gains can be accounted for by sectoral switching, and evidence on completion of credentials is consistent with a human capital explanation for the results.

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