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The Determinants of Participation in a Social Program: Evidence from a Prototypical Job Training Program

Author

Listed:
  • Heckman, James J.

    (University of Chicago)

  • Smith, Jeffrey A.

    (University of Wisconsin-Madison)

Abstract
This paper decomposes the participation process of a prototypical program into eligibility, awareness, application, acceptance and enrollment. With this decomposition, we determine the sources of unequal participation for different groups, and demonstrate that variables often have very different effects at different stages in the participation process. Our analysis shows that personal choices substantially affect participation and that awareness of program eligibility is a major source of variation in participation.

Suggested Citation

  • Heckman, James J. & Smith, Jeffrey A., 2003. "The Determinants of Participation in a Social Program: Evidence from a Prototypical Job Training Program," IZA Discussion Papers 798, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp798
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA); cream skimming; performance standards; job training; social program participation;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity

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