The importance of external assessments: High school math and gender gaps in STEM degrees

Simon M Burgess; Beatrice Schindler Rangvid; Daniel  Sloth Hauberg; Hans Sievertsen

doi:10.1016/j.econedurev.2022.102267

The importance of external assessments: High school math and gender gaps in STEM degrees

Simon M Burgess, Beatrice Schindler Rangvid, Daniel Sloth Hauberg, Hans Sievertsen

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Abstract

We exploit the random allocation to a semi-external assessment in Math (SEAM) at the end of high school in Denmark to test the effect of SEAM on subsequent enrollment and graduation in post-secondary education. We find that SEAM in high school reduces the gender gap in graduation from post-secondary STEM degrees, and we discuss possible mechanisms. Our results show that cancelling external assessments, as was temporarily implemented in many regions during the COVID-19 pandemic, may impact gender differences in human capital accumulation in the long run.

Original language	English
Article number	102267
Journal	Economics of Education Review
Volume	88
Early online date	6 May 2022
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.econedurev.2022.102267
Publication status	E-pub ahead of print - 6 May 2022

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© 2022

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ECON CEPS Education
ECON Applied Economics

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AB - We exploit the random allocation to a semi-external assessment in Math (SEAM) at the end of high school in Denmark to test the effect of SEAM on subsequent enrollment and graduation in post-secondary education. We find that SEAM in high school reduces the gender gap in graduation from post-secondary STEM degrees, and we discuss possible mechanisms. Our results show that cancelling external assessments, as was temporarily implemented in many regions during the COVID-19 pandemic, may impact gender differences in human capital accumulation in the long run.

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The importance of external assessments: High school math and gender gaps in STEM degrees

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