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How Do Hurricanes Impact Achievement in School? A Caribbean Perspective

Author

Listed:
  • Spencer, Nekeisha

    (University of the West Indies, Mona)

  • Polachek, Solomon

    (Binghamton University, New York)

  • Strobl, Eric

    (University of Bern)

Abstract

This study examines whether hurricanes have any impact on performance in 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 are examined. A generalized difference-in-difference technique is utilized to study the relationship at the school, parish, year and country level. 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

  • Spencer, Nekeisha & Polachek, Solomon & Strobl, Eric, 2016. "How Do Hurricanes Impact Achievement in School? A Caribbean Perspective," IZA Discussion Papers 10169, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp10169
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Dobkin, Carlos & Gil, Ricard & Marion, Justin, 2010. "Skipping class in college and exam performance: Evidence from a regression discontinuity classroom experiment," Economics of Education Review, Elsevier, vol. 29(4), pages 566-575, August.
    3. Bruce Sacerdote, 2012. "When the Saints Go Marching Out: Long-Term Outcomes for Student Evacuees from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita," American Economic Journal: Applied Economics, American Economic Association, vol. 4(1), pages 109-135, January.
    4. Baez, Javier E. & de la Fuente, Alejandro & Santos, Indhira, 2010. "Do Natural Disasters Affect Human Capital? An Assessment Based on Existing Empirical Evidence," IZA Discussion Papers 5164, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    5. Stephen Devadoss & John Foltz, 1996. "Evaluation of Factors Influencing Student Class Attendance and Performance," American Journal of Agricultural Economics, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association, vol. 78(3), pages 499-507.
    6. Molly Fifer McIntosh, 2008. "Measuring the Labor Market Impacts of Hurricane Katrina Migration: Evidence from Houston, Texas," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 98(2), pages 54-57, May.
    7. Ariel R. Belasen & Solomon W. Polachek, 2008. "How Hurricanes Affect Wages and Employment in Local Labor Markets," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 98(2), pages 49-53, May.
    8. -, 2000. "Belize: assessment of the damage caused by hurricane Keith, 2000: implications for economic, social and environmental development," Sede Subregional de la CEPAL para el Caribe (Estudios e Investigaciones) 27466, Naciones Unidas Comisión Económica para América Latina y el Caribe (CEPAL).
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    Cited by:

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    5. 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

    rate of return; human capital; hurricanes;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I2 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - 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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