Impact of Correspondence Schools on Early 20th Century US Labor Market
This academic paper investigates the role of correspondence education as an alternative learning pathway in early 20th-century America. By analyzing newly digitized records from the International Correspondence Schools, which enrolled over four million students by 1940, and linking them to census data, the study quantifies the economic benefits of this educational model. The findings indicate that enrollment significantly increased the probability of securing skilled employment by 6-10 percentage points within three to ten years. This positive impact was particularly pronounced among younger students who utilized correspondence courses as a substitute for traditional high school education. Furthermore, the author develops a general equilibrium Roy-style model to explain how individuals sort into educational options based on ability. The model suggests that correspondence education facilitated skill acquisition for lower-ability individuals and improved selection into high school, thereby amplifying overall returns. This research highlights the historical significance of remote learning in enhancing social mobility and labor market outcomes during a pivotal period in American educational history.
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Impact of Correspondence Schools on Early 20th Century US Labor Market
This academic paper investigates the role of correspondence education as an alternative learning pathway in early 20th-century America. By analyzing newly digitized records from the International Correspondence Schools, which enrolled over four million students by 1940, and linking them to census data, the study quantifies the economic benefits of this educational model. The findings indicate that enrollment significantly increased the probability of securing skilled employment by 6-10 percentage points within three to ten years. This positive impact was particularly pronounced among younger students who utilized correspondence courses as a substitute for traditional high school education. Furthermore, the author develops a general equilibrium Roy-style model to explain how individuals sort into educational options based on ability. The model suggests that correspondence education facilitated skill acquisition for lower-ability individuals and improved selection into high school, thereby amplifying overall returns. This research highlights the historical significance of remote learning in enhancing social mobility and labor market outcomes during a pivotal period in American educational history.
National Bureau of Economic Research Working Papers