Using behaviour incentives to improve performance on high stakes tests: Evidence from a field experimentISER External Seminars

We report the results of a large scale field experiment incentivising pupils’ effort and engagement in school, and examine the impact on high-stakes national exams. We compare cash and high-value collective event rewards. We consider heterogeneity of response by distinguishing a group likely to have high inherent motivation. While the overall average effect is zero, we find large and significant effects in Maths and in Science for the less-motivated group, of the order of 13% of a pupil-level SD. The responses of the two groups are statistically significantly different. The cash incentive was much more effective than the event treatment.

Presented by:

Simon Burgess (University of Bristol)

Date & time:

January 18, 2016 4:00 pm - January 18, 2016 5:30 pm

Venue:

2N2.4.16


External seminars home

News

Latest findings, new research

Publications search

Search all research by subject and author

Podcasts

Researchers discuss their findings and what they mean for society

Projects

Background and context, methods and data, aims and outputs

Events

Conferences, seminars and workshops

Survey methodology

Specialist research, practice and study

Taking the long view

ISER's annual report

Themes

Key research themes and areas of interest