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The Long-Run Effects of Consequential School Accountability

Author

Listed:
  • Mansfield, Jonathan

    (Binghamton University, New York)

  • Slichter, David

    (Binghamton University, New York)

Abstract

The rise of high-stakes accountability programs was one of the most noticeable changes in the U.S. education system during the 1990s and early 2000s. We measure the impact of these programs on students' long-run outcomes. We find that exposure to accountability modestly but detectably increased educational attainment – roughly .02 years per year of exposure. Effects on income were positive, but again modest and insignificant in most specifications. Lastly, if accountability had substantial effects on human capital, treated individuals would be expected to sort into occupations requiring greater use of tested (math and literacy) skills, potentially at the expense of non-tested skills. Instead, we find that accountability had virtually no effect on occupational requirements. Our results suggest that accountability was likely net beneficial for students' long-run outcomes, but not transformative.

Suggested Citation

  • Mansfield, Jonathan & Slichter, David, 2021. "The Long-Run Effects of Consequential School Accountability," IZA Discussion Papers 14503, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp14503
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    Cited by:

    1. Tran, Nhan, 2023. "The effects of deferred action for childhood arrivals on labor market outcomes," MPRA Paper 118496, University Library of Munich, Germany.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    teaching to the test; teacher incentives; long-run effects; accountability;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I28 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Government Policy
    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity
    • H0 - Public Economics - - General

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