Rooted School: 50 Dollar Study
The 50 Dollar Study was launched by Rooted School Foundation in October 2022
470
participants
200 ($50/week)
monthly payment
1.3 Years
duration
$940,000
invested in community
| Program Features | |
|---|---|
| Number of Participants | 470 individuals |
| Amount | 200 ($50/week) |
| Frequency | weekly |
| Program Dates | October 2022-September 2024 |
| Eligibility | High school student enrolled in one of our partner schools in New Orleans, Louisiana and Indianapolis, Indiana. |
About the Rooted School: 50 Dollar Study
The $50 Study is a large-scale randomized controlled trial conducted by Rooted School Foundation to evaluate the impact of a direct-cash transfer program on high-school aged individuals. Over a period of two years, 470 high school students in grades 9-12 will participate in the study, with some students randomized into a treatment group receiving $50 per week unconditionally for 40 weeks, while others will be randomized into a control group receiving no cash. The primary research questions of the study revolve around the effects of cash transfers on financial hardship, financial capability, upward economic mobility, and academic achievement. Rooted School Foundation is partnered with schools in New Orleans, Louisiana and Indianapolis, Indiana to complete this study.
Data last updated October 1, 2024.
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COMMUNITY FEATURES
$44,797
$38,000
Median household income
21.2%
20%
Poverty rate
37.3%
31%
Housing burden
31.2%
40%
Childcare cost burden
8.5%
8%
Unemployment rate
STOCKTON
STATE MEDIAN
Demographic Data for Study Participants
Median Annual Household income
50 Dollar Study
N/A
New Orleans, LA & Indianapolis, IN
$52,322
$52,322
Annual Household Income (Mean)
N/A
Sample Size
173
Avg. Age of Respondent
17
Avg. Children in Household
2
Avg. Household Size
4
gendermarital statuschildren in household
Male
53%
Female
45%
Other
2%
Married
N/A
Single
N/A
Partnered/In-Relationship
N/A
Yes
69%
No
31%
race
White
N/A
African American
N/A
American Indian/Alaska Native
N/A
Asian
N/A
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander
N/A
Latino
N/A
Other/Mixed
N/A
ethnicityprimary language at home
Hispanic
N/A
Non-Hispanic
N/A
English
N/A
Spanish
N/A
Other
N/A
Economic Context for Pilot Participants
The guaranteed income pilot launched during a period of dynamic change and economic challenges for pilot participants. The chart below situates this pilot in the context of unemployment and inflation.
New Orleans unemployment
Indianapolis unemployment
Inflation
Pilot Timeline
Spending Breakdown
The data in this pie chart shows aggregate spending for guaranteed income participants in New Orleans, LA & Indianapolis, IN. This includes all non-cash expenditures from the participants' pre-paid debit card that is loaded with guaranteed income payments weekly.
Spending breakdown
Food and groceries accounted for the largest share of spending, at 44.71%, followed by Retail sales and services (35.58%) and Transport related expenses (11.8%).
