Association for Public Policy Analysis & Management

In this paper, we investigate the impact of Career Counseling services in High School on Juvenile crime. We study the impact of Career Compass in Louisiana that provides couseling services to students regarding college admissions, enrollment, financial aid, and career exploration. Using a difference in difference methodology and crime data from the Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections, we find that Career Compass program in Louisiana decrease juvenile crime by 3 percent. Moreover, the effect is more pronounced for the most at risk students: lower test scores, free school meal and minority students. Our estimates are robust to different specifications and placebo tests.