PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Jackson, C. Kirabo
TI  - A Little Now for a Lot Later
AID  - 10.3368/jhr.45.3.591
DP  - 2010 Jul 01
TA  - Journal of Human Resources
PG  - 591--639
VI  - 45
IP  - 3
4099  - http://jhr.uwpress.org/content/45/3/591.short
4100  - http://jhr.uwpress.org/content/45/3/591.full
SO  - J Hum Resour2010 Jul 01; 45
AB  - I analyze a program implemented in Texas schools serving underprivileged populations that pays both students and teachers for passing grades on Advanced Placement (AP) examinations. Using a difference-in-differences strategy, I find that program adoption is associated with increased AP course and exam taking, increases in the number of students with high SAT/ACT scores, and increases in college matriculation. The rewards don’t appear to distort behaviors in undesirable ways, and I present evidence that teachers and students were not simply maximizing rewards. Guidance counselors credit the improvements to greater AP access, changes in social norms towards APs, and better student information.