Targeted Teaching in Secondary School and Educational Progression During a Pandemic

A randomized evaluation in Odisha, India of the Secondary School Readiness Program during the 2019-2020 academic year found it improved learning for grade 9 students by 0.11 standard deviations, 0.65 additional years of schooling. This study will examine the medium-term impacts of this program—whether it increased the likelihood of enrollment in 10th grade and performance on 10th-grade board exams, which determine future educational possibilities and could affect labor market, marriage, and fertility outcomes. The requested funds will support the collection and analysis of grade 10 board exam scores and phone surveys to learn about student drop-out and educational retention outcomes.