John H. Tyler
Basic skills and the earnings of dropouts
Brown University|Providence College
paper tests extent accumulation basic cognitive skills measured postschooling math test matter young dropouts entering todays labor market based sample dropouts age 1618 administered math test late 1990s estimates indicate standard deviation increase test score associated 65 higher average earnings first 3 years labor market results first direct evidence young dropouts todays economy relegated jobs basic cognitive skills rewarded stress importance skill acquisition students may eventually drop