Improvements in schooling attainment through conditional cash transfers in Mexico

ABSTRACT There is evidence that the conditional cash transfer programmeme PROGRESA/ /OPORTUNIDADES/PROSPERA, implemented in Mexico increased school enrolment, nutrition, and health outcomes among its participants, but little is known about its effects on school performance. This paper assesses this less commonly explored aspect through an innovative data base that engages the results from the national standardised academic performance test ENLACE, with the programmeme´s administrative records. Under different estimation techniques, we find a positive association between beneficiary´s time of exposure and their continuation in the schooling system until the end of Upper Secondary Education. There are some positive associations in learning outcomes.