Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/62424 
Year of Publication: 
2012
Series/Report no.: 
IZA Discussion Papers No. 6758
Publisher: 
Institute for the Study of Labor (IZA), Bonn
Abstract: 
We evaluate the labor-market returns to General Educational Development (GED) certification using state administrative data. We develop a fuzzy regression discontinuity (FRD) method to account for the fact that GED test takers can repeatedly retake the test until they pass it. Our technique can be applied to other situations where program participation is determined by a score on a retake-able test. Previous regression discontinuity estimates of the returns to GED certification have not accounted for retaking behavior, so these estimates may be biased. We find that the effect of GED certification on either employment or earnings is not statistically significant. GED certification increases postsecondary participation by up to four percentage points for men and up to eight percentage points for women.
Subjects: 
GED
high school dropouts
JEL: 
J24
I21
Document Type: 
Working Paper

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