The impact of youth service on future outcomes
Subtitle: evidence from teach for america
By: Will Dobbie, Roland G. Fryer, Jr
Contributors: Fryer, Roland G.; National Bureau of Economic Research
Series: NBER working paper series -- working paper 17402; Working paper series (National Bureau of Economic Research : Online) -- working paper no. 17402.
Publisher: National Bureau of Economic Research
Published: 2011
Place of publication: Cambridge, MA
Language: eng
Format: Electronic resource
Description: "Nearly one million American youth have participated in service programs such as Peace Corps and Teach For America.  This paper provides the first causal estimate of the impact of service programs on those who serve, using data from a web-based survey of former Teach For America applicants.  We estimate the effect of voluntary youth service using a sharp discontinuity in the Teach For America application process.  Participating in Teach For America increases racial tolerance, makes individuals more optimistic about the life chances of poor children, and makes them more likely to work in education.  We argue that these facts are broadly consistent with the "Contact Hypothesis," which states that, under appropriate conditions, interpersonal contact can reduce prejudice"--National Bureau of Economic Research web site.
Notes: Title from PDF file as viewed on 12/1/2011.

Includes bibliographical references.

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