TY - JOUR T1 - A Little Now for a Lot Later JF - Journal of Human Resources JO - J Hum Resour SP - 591 LP - 639 DO - 10.3368/jhr.45.3.591 VL - 45 IS - 3 AU - C. Kirabo Jackson Y1 - 2010/07/01 UR - http://jhr.uwpress.org/content/45/3/591.abstract N2 - 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. ER -