A Pleasure That Hurts: The Ambiguous Effects of Elite Tutoring on Underprivileged High School Students

A-Tier
Journal: Journal of Labor Economics
Year: 2020
Volume: 38
Issue: 2
Pages: 501 - 533

Score contribution per author:

1.341 = (α=2.01 / 3 authors) × 2.0x A-tier

α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count

Abstract

This paper reports findings from a randomized evaluation of an intensive tutoring program conducted in underprivileged high schools. Within each school, the intervention targets students identified as having the ability to pursue a college education. The program is designed to strengthen their readiness for higher education. We demonstrate that such an intervention can have negative effects on a large fraction of participants, even though participation is entirely voluntary. This result is consistent with a simple model where time invested in extracurricular programs and time invested in homework represent imperfect substitutes in the education production function.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:ucp:jlabec:doi:10.1086/705925
Journal Field
Labor
Author Count
3
Added to Database
2026-01-25