“Recently there has been an emphasis on how time spent outside of the classroom can affect student outcomes, including high school graduation, with the hope of closing academic achievement gaps along socioeconomic and racial lines. This paper provides experimental evidence regarding a particular type of out-of-school activity—early work experience—on high school academic outcomes for low-income inner-city youth. … Survey data suggest that the Boston [Summer Youth Employment Program] may affect academic outcomes by increasing aspirations to attend college, gaining basic work habits and improving social skills.”

Find the paper and full list of authors in Education Finance and Policy.