|
TITLE: Positive Outcomes from Poor Starts: Predictors of Dropping Back In AUTHORS: Laura E. Hill and Christopher Jepsen PAGES: 43 DATE: September 2005 ABSTRACT: A vast body of research finds an association between missteps taken during the teen years (such as motherhood or dropping out of high school) and poor economic and educational outcomes. However, youth who take major missteps as teens often have positive outcomes by their mid twenties. This paper attempts to draw lessons from youth who appear headed for a poor start in life, yet manage to have a positive economic or educational outcome by their early twenties. Using the National Education Longitudinal Study, we provide one of the first longitudinal analyses of well-being for teen mothers and high school dropouts that includes a nationally representative population of Hispanic and Asian youth. In general, the predictors of positive outcomes are similar for those with high probabilities of poor starts as for those with small probabilities of poor starts. A few predictors have additional associations with positive outcomes for likely poor starters, such as increasing the age of compulsory education and school-to-work programs. We also find that poor starters receive high school degrees by age 20 or not at all, whereas GED receipt and postsecondary attendance are common at later ages. PPIC working papers present work in progress and may not be quoted or cited without permission of the author. Comments or suggestions, however, are welcome. |