Not Too Late: Improving Academic Outcomes among Adolescents

S-Tier
Journal: American Economic Review
Year: 2023
Volume: 113
Issue: 3
Pages: 738-65

Authors (12)

Jonathan Guryan (not in RePEc) Jens Ludwig (University of Chicago) Monica P. Bhatt (not in RePEc) Philip J. Cook (not in RePEc) Jonathan M. V. Davis (not in RePEc) Kenneth Dodge (not in RePEc) George Farkas (not in RePEc) Roland G. Fryer Jr. (not in RePEc) Susan Mayer (University of Chicago) Harold Pollack (not in RePEc) Laurence Steinberg (not in RePEc) Greg Stoddard (not in RePEc)

Score contribution per author:

0.670 = (α=2.01 / 12 authors) × 4.0x S-tier

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

Abstract

Improving academic outcomes for economically disadvantaged students has proven challenging, particularly for children at older ages. We present two large-scale randomized controlled trials of a high-dosage tutoring program delivered to secondary school students in Chicago. One innovation is to use paraprofessional tutors to hold down cost, thereby increasing scalability. Participating in math tutoring increases math test scores by 0.18 to 0.40 standard deviations and increases math and non-math course grades. These effects persist into future years. The data are consistent with increased personalization of instruction as a mechanism. The benefit-cost ratio is comparable to many successful early-childhood programs.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:aea:aecrev:v:113:y:2023:i:3:p:738-65
Journal Field
General
Author Count
12
Added to Database
2026-01-25