Boys with the absolute worst attendance in high school are actually way more likely to end up in high-earning college programs.
SSRN · March 17, 2026 · 6321339
The Takeaway
By tracking the entire population of Greek students, this study found that a low 'behavioral rank' (based on unexcused absences) actually predicts stronger performance on national exams and more competitive career sorting for boys. It suggests that for males, the same rebellious traits that lead to skipping school are highly correlated with the drive needed for high-stakes economic success.
From the abstract
This study documents a new fact about educational production: Students' relative standing in noncognitive skills has lasting effects on educational trajectories that are distinct from those of absolute skill levels and cognitive achievement. Using administrative data covering the universe of public school students in Greece, I exploit quasi-random classroom assignment to identify the causal impact of comparative noncognitive skills-measured as students' grade 10 classroom rank in grade 9 unexcus