Full Citation

Title: The Impacts of Stricter High School Graduation Requirements on Youth Crime

Citation Type: Miscellaneous

Publication Year: 2008

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Abstract: In recent decades, many states have implemented exit examinations and increased the number of specified courses needed to graduate from high school. Whereas previous studies focused on dropout rate as a proxy for analyxing the social effects of these standards, the author directly examined the correlation between these requirements and the crime rate among affected students. Using multiple regression models based on crime reports, incarceration rates, and self-reported crime, the author found that an increase in graduation requirements correlated with a decrease in youth crime. Specifically, 15 to 21 year olds had a significant decrease in the probability on incarceration, while those between 21 to 24 years old experiences an increase. Additionally, while both whites and blacks had a decline in arrest rates, blacks experiences a larger decrease than whites. Furthermore, the author noted that individuals who performed poorly on standardized measures benefited disproportionately from these stricter requirements. Based on her findings, the author supports continued implementation of exit examinations and increased course graduation requirements.

User Submitted?: No

Authors: Chen, AJY

Publisher: Harvard University

Data Collections: IPUMS USA

Topics: Crime and Deviance, Education

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