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How do hurricanes impact scholastic achievement? A Caribbean perspective

Author

Listed:
  • Nekeisha Spencer

    (University of the West Indies)

  • Solomon Polachek

    (Binghamton University)

  • Eric Strobl

    (Aix-Marseille University)

Abstract

This study examines whether hurricanes have any impact on performance in high school standardized examinations. The analysis uses a panel of thirteen Caribbean countries and over 800 schools for the period 1993 through 2010. In particular, the effect on subjects in the humanities and sciences is examined. A generalized difference-in-difference technique is utilized to study the relationship at the school, parish, year and country levels. The results show a negative and significant effect on performance in the sciences if hurricanes strike when school is in session, and a positive or no effect when school is not in session. In addition, subjects in the humanities remain unaffected.

Suggested Citation

  • Nekeisha Spencer & Solomon Polachek & Eric Strobl, 2016. "How do hurricanes impact scholastic achievement? A Caribbean perspective," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 84(2), pages 1437-1462, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:nathaz:v:84:y:2016:i:2:d:10.1007_s11069-016-2494-7
    DOI: 10.1007/s11069-016-2494-7
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    4. Dodlova, Marina & Carias, Michelle Escobar & Grimm, Michael, 2023. "The Effects of the 2010 Haiti Earthquake on Children's Nutrition and Education," IZA Discussion Papers 16195, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Human capital; Rate of return; Hurricanes; Difference-in-difference;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I21 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Analysis of Education
    • Q54 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Climate; Natural Disasters and their Management; Global Warming

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