Bifulco paper on classmate characteristics and post-secondary outcomes published in AEJEP

Jan 31, 2011

The Effect of Classmate Characteristics on Post-secondary Outcomes: Evidence from the Add Health

Robert Bifulco, Jason M. Fletcher & Stephen L. Ross

American Economic Journal-Economic Policy, January 2011

Robert Bifulco

Public Administration & International Affairs Department

Center for Policy Research

Education

American Economic Journal-Economic Policy

Robert Bifulco

This paper uses a within-school/across-cohort design to present new evidence of the effects of high school classmate characteristics on a wide range of post-secondary outcomes. The authors find that increases in the percent of classmates with college-educated mothers decreases the likelihood of dropping out and increases the likelihood of attending college, despite showing no impact on a range of in-school achievement, attitudes, and behaviors. The percent of students from disadvantaged minority groups does not show any effects on post-secondary outcomes, but is associated with students reporting less caring student-teacher relationships and increased prevalence of some undesirable student behaviors during high school.