Article
The Short and Long-Run Effects of Attending The Schools that Parents Prefer
Journal of Human Resources
(2020)
Abstract
Using meta-analysis we find that, on average, sought-after schools do not improve student test scores. A potential explanation for this result is that parents value schools that improve outcomes not well-measured by test scores. We explore this notion using both administrative and survey data from Barbados. Using a regression discontinuity design, preferred schools have better peers but do not improve short-run test scores. Consistent with the proposed explanation, the same students at the same schools have more post-secondary school completion and
improved adult well-being (based on an index of educational attainment, occupational rank, earnings, and health). These long-run benefits are larger for females who also experience reduced teen motherhood. Mechanisms are explored.
Keywords
- school quality,
- longrun effects,
- education and health,
- education and wages
Disciplines
Publication Date
2020
Citation Information
Diether W. Beuermann and C. Kirabo Jackson. "The Short and Long-Run Effects of Attending The Schools that Parents Prefer" Journal of Human Resources (2020) Available at: http://works.bepress.com/c_kirabo_jackson/37/