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Title: The Impact of Early Work Experience on the High School Retention of Young Men
Resulting in 1 citation.
1. Iverson, Thomas John
The Impact of Early Work Experience on the High School Retention of Young Men
Ph.D. Dissertation, University of Texas at Austin, 1980.
Also: http://www.google.com/search?q=IVERSON%2C+THOMAS+JOHN+Impact+of+Early+Work+Experience+on+the+High+School+Retention+of+Young+Men&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a
Cohort(s): Young Men
Publisher: UMI - University Microfilms, Bell and Howell Information and Learning
Keyword(s): Government Regulation; High School; Modeling, Probit; Part-Time Work; Transition, School to Work; Variables, Independent - Covariate; Work Experience

This study examined the relationship between work experience during the last year of school and high school graduation. The policy framework was presented from the point of view of a professional within the delivery system of the Department of Labor's employment and training programs. Analysis of the administrative rules and regulations for these programs indicated the assumption, by program administrators, that work experience was necessary for youth to remain in school. Some economists and school system officials were seen as viewing the programs from a different perspective. They argued that work experience draws students from school into the full time labor force and, therefore, the programs hindered high school retention. This issue was examined by analyzing the NLS of Young Men using an econometric model. A single equation, with retention as the dependent variable and vectors representing family background, personal characteristics, and the labor market as independent variables, was used to model this problem. As the dependent variable was dichotomous, probit analysis was chosen as the appropriate technique to analyze the relationship between work experience and retention. Variations in model specification and sample size were employed to examine certain marginal variables and to gain further insight into variables which were "borderline" in statistical significance. The results indicated a marginally significant relationship between work experience and retention which was clearly positive. Thus, these results support the Department of Labor's claim that work experience is a positive factor in enabling youth to remain in school. In addition, these results should calm the fears of economists and school system officials that such programs will draw students out of school prematurely and lead to a greater incidence of dropping out.
Bibliography Citation
Iverson, Thomas John. The Impact of Early Work Experience on the High School Retention of Young Men. Ph.D. Dissertation, University of Texas at Austin, 1980..