@techreport{NBERw14044,
 title = "Taking the Easy Way Out: How the GED Testing Program Induces Students to Drop Out",
 author = "James J. Heckman and John Eric Humphries and Paul A. LaFontaine and Pedro L. Rodriguez",
 institution = "National Bureau of Economic Research",
 type = "Working Paper",
 series = "Working Paper Series",
 number = "14044",
 year = "2008",
 month = "May",
 URL = "http://www.nber.org/papers/w14044",
 abstract = {The option to obtain a General Education Development (GED) certificate changes the incentives facing high school students. This paper evaluates the effect of three different GED policy innovations on high school graduation rates. A six point decrease in the GED pass rate due to an increase in national passing standards produced a 1.3 point decline in overall high school dropout rates. The introduction of a GED certification program in high schools in Oregon produced a four percent decrease in high school graduation rates. Introduction of GED certificates for civilians in California increased the high school dropout rate by 3 points. The GED program induces students to drop out of high school.},
}