Work

Paying to Learn: The Effect of Financial Incentives on Elementary School Test Scores

Year: 2010

Type: report

Abstract: Policymakers and academics are increasingly interested in applying financial incentives to individuals in education.This paper presents evidence from a pay for performance program taking place in Coshocton, Ohio.Since 2004, Coshocton has provided cash payments to students in grades three through six for successful completion of their standardized testing.Coshocton determined eligibility for the program using randomization, and using this randomization, this paper identifies the effects of the program on students' academic behavior.We find that math scores improved about 0.15 standard deviations but that reading, social science, and science test scores did not improve.

Source: National Bureau of Economic Research

DOI: 10.3386/w16333

Author: Eric Bettinger

Institutions: National Bureau of Economic Research, University of Arizona, University of British Columbia, University of California, Los Angeles, University of Pittsburgh, Case Western Reserve University, Stanford University

Language: English

Topic: School Choice and Performance

Subfield: Education

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Quality education

Open Access status: green

OpenAlex ID: W3021991813

Cites: 31

Cited by: 42

Related to: 10