Are scholarships effective in Spain? An impact assessment of the upper secondary non-tertiary level

Mauro Mediavilla

2014
Article

Abstract:

The large number of individuals who do not complete their studies beyond compulsory schooling is an important challenge in Spain. This situation can be seen in high rates of early school leaving and low graduation rates in upper secondary education. In this context, the aim of this work is to identify whether the scholarship policy carried out in Spain during the 2004-2005 period has been effective in its goal of increasing the percentage of students who successfully complete the upper secondary level. A quasi-experimental design has been performed applying the Propensity Score Matching technique, the control group consisting of a representative sample of the target population who did not participate in the program. The information source was the Survey of Living Conditions (EUSILC-2006). Results indicate that scholarships increase in more than 40% the chances of completing post compulsory secondary level, in the case of individuals with similar characteristics. This result is relevant, taking into account that the average amount received by each recipient during this period was approximately € 1,000 by year. In this sense, although there are many elements determining the educational attainment of individuals, it is found that the State, through its public policies, can incorporate an element which enables of school success in a context of high early school leaving rates.

 

Reference:

Mediavilla, M. (2014): ¿Son efectivas las becas en España? Una evaluación de impacto para el nivel secundario post-obligatorio, Revista Iberoamericana de Evaluación Educativa, 7(1), pp. 121-139. DOI: https://revistas.uam.es/riee/article/view/3394