American Economic Journal Applied Economics · 2012 · 198 citations · 20 references
Public AffairsEducation PolicyElementary EducationEducation FinanceEducation PrivatizationEducation ReformAccess In EducationAccess To EducationEquality Of Educational OpportunityFree Primary EducationPovertyPublic EducationDisadvantaged Student Achievement GapsDropoutEducational Opportunity AccessEquity In Educational AccessPrimary Education ProvisionPrimary Education ReformStandardized Test ScoresStudent Attainment Gaps
We examine the impact of the Kenyan Free Primary Education program on student participation, sorting, and achievement on the primary school exit examination. Exploiting variation in pre-program dropout rates between districts, we find that the program increased the number of students who completed primary school, spurred private school entry, and increased access for students from disadvantaged backgrounds. We argue that the program was welfare enhancing as it promoted educational access without substantially reducing the test scores of students who would have been in school in the absence of the program. (JEL H52, I21, I28, O15)
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