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The Impact of Family Income on Child Achievement: Evidence from the Earned Income Tax Credit*

* This paper has been replicated

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  • Gordon B. Dahl
  • Lance Lochner

Abstract

Using an instrumental variables strategy, we estimate the causal effect of income on children's math and reading achievement. Our identification derives from the large, nonlinear changes in the Earned Income Tax Credit. The largest of these changes increased family income by as much as 20 percent, or approximately $2,100, between 1993 and 1997. Our baseline estimates imply that a $1,000 increase in income raises combined math and reading test scores by 6 percent of a standard deviation in the short run. Test gains are larger for children from disadvantaged families and robust to a variety of alternative specifications. (JEL H24, H31, I21, I38, J13)

Suggested Citation

  • Gordon B. Dahl & Lance Lochner, 2012. "The Impact of Family Income on Child Achievement: Evidence from the Earned Income Tax Credit," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 102(5), pages 1927-1956, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:aea:aecrev:v:102:y:2012:i:5:p:1927-56
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    Replication

    This item has been replicated by:
  • Samuel Lundstrom, 2017. "The Impact of Family Income on Child Achievement: Evidence from the Earned Income Tax Credit: Comment," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 107(2), pages 623-628, February.

    • More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • H53 - Public Economics - - National Government Expenditures and Related Policies - - - Government Expenditures and Welfare Programs
    • I32 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - Measurement and Analysis of Poverty
    • I38 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - Government Programs; Provision and Effects of Welfare Programs
    • J13 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Fertility; Family Planning; Child Care; Children; Youth
    • J18 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Public Policy

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    1. The Impact of Family Income on Child Achievement: Evidence from the Earned Income Tax Credit (AER 2012) in ReplicationWiki

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