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Title: The Effects of High School Mathematics and Science Classes on Wages
Resulting in 1 citation.
1. Rocheleau, Kara Joy
The Effects of High School Mathematics and Science Classes on Wages
Honors Project Paper 56, Department of Economics, Illinois Wesleyan University, 1995.
Also: http://digitalcommons.iwu.edu/econ_honproj/56
Cohort(s): NLSY79
Publisher: Department of Economics, Illinois Wesleyan University
Keyword(s): High School Curriculum; Human Capital Theory; Schooling; Skill Formation; Technology/Technological Changes; Undergraduate Research; Wage Levels

Permission to reprint the abstract has not been received from the publisher.

The popular press is filled with claims that the world is becoming a more technological place, and that mathematical and scientific knowledge is becoming a necessity. Carol Wynn, chairwoman of a chamber of commerce education group, projects by the year 2000 almost all new jobs will be technical in nature (Louka 1993, p. 1). According to Barbara Behrendt (1993, p. 1), education is also moving in that direction; many people feel pursuing more math or science oriented classes will payoff financially. I use the Human Capital Model as my theoretical framework. An individual's human capital consists of his or her acquired productive skills, talents, ability, and knowledge. Human capitalists believe that schooling enhances productivity, which in turn, increases wages. If mathematics and science classes are really essential, then they should increase productivity and wages even more so than other classes. My research looks for evidence of this.

My results show that the human capital factors of previous work experience and age positively affect wages. Further, demographic variables such as having children present in the home or being male also increase wages. However, the results fail to support the claims that high school mathematics and science classes are more beneficial than other classes. None of my variables that measured the number of classes are significant. My paper concludes by suggesting possible reasons why my results did not support these claims.

Bibliography Citation
Rocheleau, Kara Joy. "The Effects of High School Mathematics and Science Classes on Wages." Honors Project Paper 56, Department of Economics, Illinois Wesleyan University, 1995.