A Structural Model of Charter School Choice and Academic Achievement
Lottery-based instrumental variables estimates show that Boston’s charter schools substantially increase test scores and close racial achievement gaps among their applicants. A key policy question is whether charter expansion is likely to produce similar effects on a larger scale. This paper uses a structural model of school choice and academic achievement to extrapolate from IV …
More...When Opportunity Knocks, Who Answers? New Evidence on College Achievement Awards
We evaluate the effects of academic achievement awards for first and second-year college students studying at a Canadian commuter college. The award scheme offered linear cash incentives for course grades above 70. Awards were paid every term. Program participants also had access to peer advising by upperclassmen. Program engagement appears to have been high but …
More...Simulating Alternative School Choice Options in Boston
Boston Mayor Thomas Menino requests SEII’s assistance to analyze school choice options for Boston Public Schools, delaying the initial timeline to bring scientific rigor to the policy discussion. SEII researchers Parag Pathak and Peng Shi issue report on new school choice options for Boston Public Schools.
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