Course Corrections? The Labor Market Returns to Correctional Education Credentials. Working Paper No. 294-0224
Saved in:
| Title: | Course Corrections? The Labor Market Returns to Correctional Education Credentials. Working Paper No. 294-0224 |
|---|---|
| Authors: | James Cowan, Dan Goldhaber, Suvekshya Gautam, National Center for Analysis of Longitudinal Data in Education Research (CALDER) at American Institutes for Research (AIR) |
| Source: | National Center for Analysis of Longitudinal Data in Education Research (CALDER). 2024. |
| Availability: | National Center for Analysis of Longitudinal Data in Education Research. American Institutes for Research, 1000 Thomas Jefferson Street NW, Washington, DC 20007. Tel: 202-403-5796; Fax: 202-403-6783; e-mail: info@caldercenter.org; Web site: https://caldercenter.org |
| Peer Reviewed: | N |
| Page Count: | 47 |
| Publication Date: | 2024 |
| Sponsoring Agency: | William T. Grant Foundation |
| Contract Number: | 187283 |
| Document Type: | Reports - Research |
| Education Level: | Adult Education High Schools High School Equivalency Programs Secondary Education |
| Descriptors: | Correctional Education, Labor Market, Institutionalized Persons, High School Equivalency Programs, Educational Certificates, Vocational Education, Employment Level, Income, Construction Industry, Manufacturing Industry, Outcomes of Education |
| Geographic Terms: | Washington |
| Abstract: | Correctional education is a prevalent form of rehabilitation programming for prisoners in the United States. There is limited evidence, however, about the labor market returns to credentials received while incarcerated. Using incarceration, educational, and labor market data in Washington State, we study the labor market returns to GEDs and short-term vocational certificates earned in prison. We identify the returns to credentials by a difference-indifferences design that compares changes in earnings and employment for incarcerated persons who earn a credential to those who enroll in a program but fail to complete a GED or certificate. We estimate that GEDs increase post-incarceration earnings by about $450 per quarter and that vocational certificates increase earnings by about $250 per quarter. Degree completers have higher hourly wages, are more likely to be employed, and work more hours following release. For vocational programs, earnings increases are driven by certificates in construction and manufacturing. [The research presented presented in this report uses confidential data from the Education Research and Data Center (ERDC) located within the Washington Office of Financial Management (OFM).] |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| Entry Date: | 2024 |
| Accession Number: | ED643392 |
| Database: | ERIC |
| Abstract: | Correctional education is a prevalent form of rehabilitation programming for prisoners in the United States. There is limited evidence, however, about the labor market returns to credentials received while incarcerated. Using incarceration, educational, and labor market data in Washington State, we study the labor market returns to GEDs and short-term vocational certificates earned in prison. We identify the returns to credentials by a difference-indifferences design that compares changes in earnings and employment for incarcerated persons who earn a credential to those who enroll in a program but fail to complete a GED or certificate. We estimate that GEDs increase post-incarceration earnings by about $450 per quarter and that vocational certificates increase earnings by about $250 per quarter. Degree completers have higher hourly wages, are more likely to be employed, and work more hours following release. For vocational programs, earnings increases are driven by certificates in construction and manufacturing. [The research presented presented in this report uses confidential data from the Education Research and Data Center (ERDC) located within the Washington Office of Financial Management (OFM).] |
|---|
