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The academic effects of chronic exposure to neighbourhood violence

Author

Listed:
  • Amy Ellen Schwartz

    (Syracuse University, USA)

  • Agustina Laurito

    (University of Illinois Chicago, USA)

  • Johanna Lacoe

    (University of California Berkeley, USA)

  • Patrick Sharkey

    (Princeton University, USA)

  • Ingrid Gould Ellen

    (New York University, USA)

Abstract

This paper estimates the causal effect of repeated exposure to violent crime on test scores in New York City. We use two empirical strategies; value-added models linking student performance on standardised exams to violent crimes on students’ residential block, and a regression discontinuity approach that identifies the acute effect of additional crime exposure within a one-week window. Exposure to violent crime reduces academic performance. Value-added models suggest the average effect is very small (approximately −0.01 standard deviations) but grows with repeated exposure. Regression discontinuity (RD) models also find a larger effect among children previously exposed. The marginal acute effect is as large as −0.04 standard deviations for students with two or more prior exposures. Among these, it is almost one tenth of a standard deviation for Black students. We provide credible causal evidence that repeated exposure to neighbourhood violence harms test scores, and this negative effect increases with exposure.

Suggested Citation

  • Amy Ellen Schwartz & Agustina Laurito & Johanna Lacoe & Patrick Sharkey & Ingrid Gould Ellen, 2022. "The academic effects of chronic exposure to neighbourhood violence," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 59(14), pages 3005-3021, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:urbstu:v:59:y:2022:i:14:p:3005-3021
    DOI: 10.1177/00420980211052149
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Brian A. Jacob, 2004. "Public Housing, Housing Vouchers, and Student Achievement: Evidence from Public Housing Demolitions in Chicago," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 94(1), pages 233-258, March.
    2. Lisa Sanbonmatsu & Jeffrey R. Kling & Greg J. Duncan & Jeanne Brooks-Gunn, 2006. "Neighborhoods and Academic Achievement: Results from the Moving to Opportunity Experiment," Journal of Human Resources, University of Wisconsin Press, vol. 41(4).
    3. PatrickSharkey & Amy Ellen Schwartz & Ingrid Gould Ellen & Johanna Lacoe, 2013. "High stakes in the classroom, high stakes on the street: The effects of community violence on students’ standardized test performance," Working Paper 9313, USC Lusk Center for Real Estate.
    4. Raj Chetty & Nathaniel Hendren & Lawrence F. Katz, 2016. "The Effects of Exposure to Better Neighborhoods on Children: New Evidence from the Moving to Opportunity Experiment," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 106(4), pages 855-902, April.
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    Cited by:

    1. Ingrid Gould Ellen & Stephen L. Ross, 2018. "Race and the City," Working Papers 2018-022, Human Capital and Economic Opportunity Working Group.
    2. Cordes, Sarah A. & Schwartz, Amy Ellen & Elbel, Brian, 2023. "The effects of owner-occupied housing on student outcomes: Evidence from NYC," Regional Science and Urban Economics, Elsevier, vol. 98(C).
    3. Agustina Laurito & Johanna Lacoe & Amy Ellen Schwartz & Patrick Sharkey & Ingrid Gould Ellen, "undated". "School Climate and the Impact of Neighborhood Crime on Test Scores," Mathematica Policy Research Reports 22946c6212374659afcb48ce0, Mathematica Policy Research.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    children; education; neighbourhood effects; neighbourhood violence; violent crime;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I20 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - General
    • I21 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Analysis of Education
    • R23 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Household Analysis - - - Regional Migration; Regional Labor Markets; Population

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