Educational Mismatch and Motivational Messages in the Dominican Republic

Dropout is a common problem in junior and senior high schools across many developing countries. The Dominican Republic is no different: 38 percent of students taking national exams in 8th grade drop out by the next set of high-stake exams in 12th grade. Importantly, high performing students drop out at similar rates than low performing students, even more so for poorer (rural) students and girls. With this project we aim to shed light on whether “mismatch” is a likely explanation. We design a multifaceted information intervention covering the majority of 8th and 12th graders in the country, while planning on following these cohorts over time through administrative records. At the same time we will attempt to understand students’ beliefs through surveys.