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on Urban and Real Estate Economics |
| By: | Barrow, Lisa (Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago); Schanzenbach, Diane Whitmore (Northwestern University); Claessens, Amy (University of Chicago) |
| Abstract: | This project examines the effects of the introduction of new small high schools on student performance in the Chicago Public School (CPS) district. Specifically, we investigate whether students attending small high schools have better graduation/enrollment rates and achievement than similar students who attend regular CPS high schools. We show that students who choose to attend a small school are more disadvantaged on average, including having prior test scores that are about 0.2 standard deviations lower than their elementary school classmates. To address the selection problem, we use an instrumental variables strategy and compare students who live in the same neighborhoods but differ in their residential proximity to a small school. In this approach, one student is more likely to sign up for a small school than another statistically identical student because the small school is located closer to the student’s house and therefore the “cost” of attending the school is lower. The distance-to-small-school variable has strong predictive power to identify who attends a small school. We find that small schools students are substantially more likely to persist in school and eventually graduate. Nonetheless, there is no positive impact on student achievement as measured by test scores. |
| Keywords: | Chicago Public School (CPS); high school |
| JEL: | I21 I24 |
| Date: | 2014–11–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:fip:fedhwp:wp-2014-20&r=ure |
| By: | Eric Isenberg Elias Walsh |
| Abstract: | This report updates the approach to estimating value-added models of teacher effectiveness in the District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) and eligible DC charter schools participating in Race to the Top during the 2012–2013 school year. |
| Keywords: | Value Added DC Schools Education Measuring Teacher |
| JEL: | I |
| Date: | 2014–01–17 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:mpr:mprres:b319ed849495477791cef8b8c49dd12f&r=ure |
| By: | Rebecca A. London; Sebastian Castrechini; Katie Stokes-Guinan; Lisa Westrich; Martha Bleeker; Susanne James-Burdumy |
| Keywords: | Playworks Schools, 17 Schools, U.S. Cities, Education |
| JEL: | I |
| Date: | 2013–05–30 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:mpr:mprres:b9b475aaecf5486c8ae719ab36ae81db&r=ure |
| By: | World Bank Group; Cities Alliance |
| Keywords: | Culture and Development - Cultural Policy Urban Development - City Development Strategies Housing and Human Habitats Cultural Heritage and Preservation Transport Economics Policy and Planning Communities and Human Settlements Transport |
| Date: | 2014–10 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wbk:wboper:20800&r=ure |
| By: | Justiniano, Alejandro (Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago); Primiceri, Giorgio E. (Northwestern University); Tambalotti, Andrea (Federal Reserve Bank of New York) |
| Abstract: | The housing boom that preceded the Great Recession was due to an increase in credit supply driven by looser lending constraints in the mortgage market. This view on the fundamental drivers of the boom is consistent with four empirical observations: the unprecedented rise in home prices and household debt, the stability of debt relative to house values, and the fall in mortgage rates. These facts are difficult to reconcile with the popular view that attributes the housing boom to looser borrowing constraints associated with lower collateral requirements. In fact, a slackening of collateral constraints at the peak of the lending cycle triggers a fall in home prices in our framework, providing a novel perspective on the possible origins of the bust. |
| Keywords: | Credit; housing prices; mortgages |
| JEL: | E44 G21 R21 |
| Date: | 2014–07–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:fip:fedhwp:wp-2014-21&r=ure |
| By: | Eric Isenberg Elias Walsh |
| Keywords: | Teacher value-added, DC, 2013-2014 School Year, Education |
| JEL: | I |
| Date: | 2014–08–28 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:mpr:mprres:14bc29fa36284ece9692959469cb3d65&r=ure |
| By: | Matthew Johnson; Eric Lundquist; Cleo Jacobs Johnson; Claudia Gentile |
| Abstract: | The Kauffman School is a charter school in Kansas City, Missouri that opened in 2011 to serve middle and high school students from the city’s most economically disadvantaged neighborhoods. This report evaluates the effectiveness of the School at improving student achievement, attendance, and discipline outcomes during its first two years of operation. |
| Keywords: | Kauffman School Long-Term Outcomes Education |
| JEL: | I |
| Date: | 2014–03–06 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:mpr:mprres:08feceb41e2a451e88fd9b92643d66c9&r=ure |
| By: | Dana Rotz; Matthew Johnson; Brian Gill |
| Abstract: | At the request of Pittsburgh Public Schools and the Pittsburgh Federation of Teachers, Mathematica has developed value-added models that aim to estimate the contributions of individual teachers and schools to the achievement of their students. |
| Keywords: | VAM, Value-Added Models, Pittsburgh Public Schools, Education |
| JEL: | I |
| Date: | 2014–05–05 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:mpr:mprres:11cf6795ac3842b996637b08e56d3f06&r=ure |
| By: | Ioulia Ossokina; Coen N. Teulings; Henri L.F. de Groot |
| Abstract: | The direct impact of local public goods on welfare is relatively easy to measure from land rents. However, the indirect effects on home and job location, on land use, and on agglomeration benefits are hard to pin down. We develop a spatial general equilibrium model for the valuation of these effects. Read also <a href="http://www.cpb.nl/publicatie/agglomeratie-transportinfrastructuur-en-welvaart">CPB Policy Brief 2014/10</a> (Publication in Dutch). The model is estimated using data on transport infrastructure, commuting behavior, wages, land use and land rents for 3000 ZIP-codes in the Netherlands and for three levels of education. Welfare benefiÂ…ts are shown to differ sharply by workersÂ’educational attainment. |
| JEL: | H4 H54 R13 R23 R4 |
| Date: | 2014–12 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:cpb:discus:289&r=ure |
| By: | Francesco Di Comite (European Commission – JRC - IPTS); d’Artis Kancs (European Commission – JRC - IPTS) |
| Abstract: | The dynamic spatial general equilibrium model RHOMOLO with endogenous firm location incorporates multiple sources of agglomeration and dispersion. Agglomeration is driven mainly by increasing returns to scale and localised externalities; dispersion by costly trade and imperfect competition. In RHOMOLO, three mechanisms interact in determining the equilibrium spatial distribution of agents: capital mobility, labour mobility and vertical linkages as captured by costly input-output trade. While households choose their location based on real income differences, firms' spatial equilibrium is determined by the inter-regional equalisation of returns on capital. Illustrative simulation results suggest that in the EU labour mobility has the tendency to magnify the home market effect and the market access effect. In contrast, the market crowding effect seems to dominate the market access effect for capital mobility and vertical linkages. These results are in line with the theoretical literature, where the endogenous location mechanism of labour mobility contains two agglomeration forces and one dispersion force, whereas the endogenous location mechanisms of capital mobility and vertical linkages contain one agglomeration force and one dispersion force. |
| Keywords: | New economic geography, endogenous location, agglomeration, dispersion, general equilibrium, economic modelling. |
| JEL: | C63 C68 D58 F1 F12 H41 O1 O31 O40 R13 R3 R4 |
| Date: | 2014–10 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ipt:iptwpa:jrc81349&r=ure |
| By: | Various authors |
| Abstract: | Provides comprehensive evidence on the effects of KIPP middle schools across the country. |
| Keywords: | KIPP Middle Schools Student Achievement Reading, Math, Science, Social Studies Education |
| JEL: | I |
| Date: | 2013–02–28 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:mpr:mprres:d6c4720bb53844418a38a9e35a386889&r=ure |
| By: | Joshua Ferguson; Moira McCullough; Brian Gill |
| Abstract: | This In Focus brief provides a snapshot of the study and findings. |
| Keywords: | The Equity Project Charter School, TEP, Teacher Effectiveness, Student Achievement, Education |
| JEL: | I |
| Date: | 2014–10–24 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:mpr:mprres:143caca706194a20bce62d6e76d018b3&r=ure |
| By: | Babri, Sahar (Dept. of Business and Management Science, Norwegian School of Economics); McArthur, David Philip (Urban Big Data Centre, University of Glasgow); Thorsen, Inge (Stord/Haugesund University College); Ubøe, Jan (Dept. of Business and Management Science, Norwegian School of Economics) |
| Abstract: | Road pricing is a popular congestion reduction strategy. However, there may be wider impacts associated with a road toll. We consider a factor which is sometimes overlooked, namely that workers and firms may choose to change location in response to changes in the travel costs. A spatial equilibrium model is used to analyse suboptimalities in road pricing which may occur if relocations are ignored. We show that such suboptimalities can be substantial. The advantage of the model we use over many existing approaches is that it is easy to implement, and requires very little data. |
| Keywords: | Relocation; Road pricing; Congestion; Spatial equilibrium modelling; LUTI modelling |
| JEL: | R23 R41 R48 |
| Date: | 2014–12–18 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hhs:nhhfms:2014_042&r=ure |
| By: | Eric Isenberg; Jeffrey Max; Philip Gleason; Liz Potamites; Robert Santillano; Heinrich Hock; Michael Hansen |
| Abstract: | This study explores the disparity in access to effective teachers in 29 school districts across the country, revealing that disadvantaged students receive poorer-quality instruction, on average, compared with other students. Mathematica conducted the studies for the Institute of Education Sciences. |
| Keywords: | Effective Teaching, Teacher Effectiveness, Teacher Distribution, Value Added, Elementary Secondary Education, Economically Disadvantaged, Minority Group, Children, Achievement Gap |
| JEL: | I |
| Date: | 2013–11–30 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:mpr:mprres:ad54d58020e54294b0ab88ad02552c57&r=ure |
| By: | Elias Walsh |
| Keywords: | Teacher Retention, DC Public Schools, Education |
| JEL: | I |
| Date: | 2013–11–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:mpr:mprres:a46502818cdd49c9967534f5435d490b&r=ure |
| By: | Jeffrey Max Steven Glazerman |
| Abstract: | This study explores the disparity in access to effective teachers in 29 school districts across the country, revealing that disadvantaged students receive poorer-quality instruction, on average, compared with other students. Mathematica conducted the studies for the Institute of Education Sciences. |
| Keywords: | Disadvantaged Students Effective Teaching Student Achievement Teacher Evaluation Systems |
| JEL: | I |
| Date: | 2014–01–30 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:mpr:mprres:a7da30900bb047038d31acd568b7e97d&r=ure |
| By: | Monica Brezzi; Daniel Sanchez-Serra |
| Abstract: | This paper presents a new set of estimates of exposure to air pollution (fine particulate matter - PM2.5) at the city, regional and national levels for the 34 OECD countries, and at the regional and national levels for Brazil, China, India, Russia and South Africa. The estimates are developed by the computation of satellite-based observations. They have the advantage of providing consistent values of the magnitude and spatial distribution of air pollution to be compared across and within countries and over time. The paper also explores the association between shape of cities (population density, share of built-up area, extension of the hinterlands, etc.) and air pollution. The estimates of air pollution at (TL2) regional level have been used in the newly released OECD Regional Well-Being Database as a measure of the environmental dimension. |
| Keywords: | health, air pollution, urban form, sub-national disparities |
| JEL: | Q53 Q56 |
| Date: | 2014–12–22 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:oec:govaab:2014/11-en&r=ure |
| By: | Celbis M.G.; Crombrugghe D.P.I. de (UNU-MERIT) |
| Abstract: | This study presents novel evidence regarding the role of regional internet infrastructure in reducing regional per capita income disparities. We base our study on the assumptions that 1 the diffusion of information homogenizes regional economies through reducing the dissimilarities in institutions and culture, and 2 the telecommunication capacity, represented as the internet infrastructure of a region, facilitates this flow of information. Using the data from the 26 statistical regions of Turkey, we find evidence that internet infrastructure has contributed to regional convergence during the period 1999-2011. We also observe that the Turkish economic geography is defined by a strong core-periphery pattern and significant spatial clustering. |
| Keywords: | Macroeconomics: Consumption, Saving, Production, Employment, and Investment: General (includes Measurement and Data); Public Goods; Telecommunications; Economic Development: Urban, Rural, Regional, and Transportation Analysis; Housing; Infrastructure; Measurement of Economic Growth; Aggregate Productivity; Cross-Country Output Convergence; Size and Spatial Distributions of Regional Economic Activity; |
| JEL: | R12 L96 E20 H41 O18 O47 |
| Date: | 2014 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:unm:unumer:2014078&r=ure |
| By: | Baltzopoulos, Apostolos (Department of Industrial Economics and Management, KTH Royal Institute of Technology and The Swedish Competition Authority, Stockholm, Sweden.); Braunerhjelm, Pontus (Department of Industrial Economics and Management, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Centre of Excellence for Science and Innovation Studies (CESIS), 100 44 Stockholm, Sweden.); Tikoudis, Ioannis (Department of Spatial Economics, VU University Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1105, 1081HV, and Tinbergen Institute, Gustav Mahlerplein 117, 1082MS Amsterdam.) |
| Abstract: | Based on unique data covering individuals, firms, industries, and regions for the 1999-2005 period, we contribute with new knowledge concerning the impact of regional variables on spin-offs. Implementing a large number of controls, as well as different estimation techniques and robustness tests, we show that Jacobian externalities have a positive effect on spin-offs. Moreover, using an entropy measure to disentangle unrelated and related variety, we conclude that the effect is confined to related variety. These findings are likely to be associated with strong welfare effects: a standard-deviation increase (decrease) in related (unrelated) variety increases spin-off propensity by approximately 25%. Other variables are shown to have economic effects of a similar magnitude but may have a different effect across sectors. Sensitivity analyses indicate that the impact of other determinants proposed in the literature (e.g., Marshallian externalities and scale effects) is too small to be detected. |
| Keywords: | Regions; spin-offs; industries |
| JEL: | D01 L26 R10 |
| Date: | 2014–12–22 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hhs:cesisp:0389&r=ure |
| By: | Philip M. Gleason; Christina Clark Tuttle; Brian Gill; Ira Nichols-Barrer; Bing-ru Teh |
| Abstract: | This article measures the achievement impacts of 41 Knowledge Is Power Program (KIPP) charter middle schools nationwide and found consistently positive and statistically significant test-score effects in reading, math, science, and social studies. |
| Keywords: | KIPP Student Achievement Charter Schools Education |
| JEL: | I |
| Date: | 2014–01–30 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:mpr:mprres:025c1b3af1c040ecbedfbce45049634e&r=ure |
| By: | Zwiers, Merle (Delft University of Technology); Bolt, Gideon (Utrecht University); van Ham, Maarten (Delft University of Technology); van Kempen, Ronald (Utrecht University) |
| Abstract: | Neighborhood decline is a complex and multidimensional process. National and regional variation in economic and political structures (including variety in national welfare state arrangements), combined with differences in neighborhood history, development and population composition, makes it extremely difficult to identify a unilateral process of neighborhood decline over time. Some scholars have tried to develop all-encompassing models to explain neighborhood decline; others have studied more deeply the relevance of a limited number of factors and developments in processes of decline. The literature has paid little attention to the influence of economic development on neighborhood development, and surprisingly, few studies have focused on the effects of the economic crisis on urban neighborhoods. The recent global economic and financial crisis affected many European and North-American cities in terms of growing unemployment levels and rising poverty in concentrated areas. At the same time, urban investments such as urban restructuring and neighborhood improvement programs have decreased, or come to a halt altogether. By reviewing existing literature, this paper aims to contribute to an understanding of neighborhood decline in light of the economic crisis. By formulating ten hypotheses about the ways in which the economic crisis might interact with processes of neighborhood decline, this paper aims to push the debate on neighborhood decline forward and calls for more contextualized research on neighborhood change. We will highlight challenges for future research and point to factors that need to be taken into consideration in a post-crisis society. |
| Keywords: | neighborhood decline, economic crisis, neighborhood regeneration, policy, housing market |
| JEL: | I32 I38 O18 R23 |
| Date: | 2014–12 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:iza:izadps:dp8749&r=ure |
| By: | Duncan Chaplin; Brian Gill; Allison Thompkins; Hannah Miller |
| Abstract: | Responding to federal and state prompting, school districts across the country are implementing new teacher evaluation systems that aim to increase the rigor of evaluation ratings,better differentiate effective teaching, and support personnel and staff development initiatives that promote teacher effectiveness and ultimately improve student achievement. |
| Keywords: | teacher effectiveness, scoring rubrics, evaluation methods, measurement, evaluation criteria, rating scales, student evaluation of teacher performance |
| JEL: | I |
| Date: | 2014–07–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:mpr:mprres:49fdd049478d40b5a294589acf76530a&r=ure |
| By: | Debra Lipson; Denise Hoffman; Matthew Kehn |
| Keywords: | Non-Elderly Disabled, NED Housing Choice Voucher Program Disability |
| JEL: | I J |
| Date: | 2013–03–11 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:mpr:mprres:f2e4a658bce84a8db4aee7daddaef775&r=ure |
| By: | Augustyniak, Hanna; Leszczyński, Robert; Łaszek, Jacek; Olszewski, Krzysztof; Waszczuk, Joanna |
| Abstract: | This article discusses and explains the dynamics of the primary housing market, focus-ing on housing supply, demand, price and construction costs dynamics. We focus our attention on the primary housing market, because it can create an excessive supply, which can cause distress to the economy. Due to multiplier effects, even small changes in fundamental factors, such as a minor changes in the interest rate, result in demand shocks. Positive demand shifts cannot be easily satisfied, as supply is rigid in the short run. This usually makes house prices grow and developers increase their production, which will be delivered to the market with a lag. Housing developers have the marketing tools to heat up the market for a prolonged period of time. Rising prices can lead to further demand increases, because housing is a consumer and an investment good. When demand moves back to its long run level, the economy is left with excessive supply, falling prices and bad mortgages. We create a simple four-equation model, which is able to replicate the dynamics of the Warsaw primary housing market. Our model replicates historical data in an appropriate way and we apply it to forecast house prices in the next two years on quarterly basis. |
| Keywords: | Housing market cycles, disequilibrium demand and supply forecast |
| JEL: | E32 E37 E44 R21 R31 |
| Date: | 2014–12 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:61015&r=ure |
| By: | Linda Rosenberg; Megan Davis Christianson; Megan Hague Angus; Emily Rosenthal |
| Keywords: | Rural Schools, School Improvement Grants, SIG, Education |
| JEL: | I |
| Date: | 2014–04–30 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:mpr:mprres:1f9ec5d37ff44a318483d1de703ffa1c&r=ure |
| By: | LUC BORROWMAN; GENNADI KAZAKEVITCH; LIONEL FROST |
| Abstract: | The measurement of housing affordability in Australia is reconsidered to contribute to better housing policies. The ratio approach, based on the percentage of income that is spent on housing, is the most common method of measuring housing stress, but this is applied uniformly across housing situations (renters and homeowners), locations and household compositions. We use a residual stress measure, based on the level of disposable income after housing costs have been met, which is then compared to a poverty line or budget standard. The measure is adaptable to different household types and may inform decisions on housing policies that specifically target the type of households that are most vulnerable to housing stress. Using data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics Income and Housing Surveys, the residual measure and ‘after housing’ budget standards, we develop an Ordered Probit model to identify the specific factors that predict housing stress. |
| Date: | 2014–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:mos:moswps:2014-42&r=ure |
| By: | Steven Glazerman; Ali Protik; Bing-ru Teh; Julie Bruch; Jeffrey Max |
| Abstract: | Many education policy experts have raised concerns that disadvantaged students, who are often concentrated in low-performing schools, do not have the same access to highly effective teachers as other students. To address this issue, the U.S. Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences (IES) sponsored an evaluation conducted by Mathematica Policy Research of an intervention known to study participants as the Talent Transfer Initiative (TTI). |
| Keywords: | transfer incentives , randomized controlled trial , teacher effectiveness , value added |
| Date: | 2013–11–30 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:mpr:mprres:c629bf71e8474c74a897e941ccbdeda4&r=ure |
| By: | Matthew Johnson; Stephen Lipscomb; Brian Gill |
| Abstract: | This working paper examines the sensitivity and precision of teacher value-added model (VAM) estimates obtained under model specifications that differ based on whether they include student-level background characteristics, peer-level background characteristics, and/or a double-lagged achievement score. It also tests two model variations not previously evaluated—replacing classroom average peer characteristics with teacher-year level averages, or allowing for variation in the relationship between current and lagged achievement scores based on student demographic characteristics—to determine whether they affect the VAM estimates. |
| Keywords: | Value Added Estimates Peer Control Variables Education |
| JEL: | I |
| Date: | 2013–11–30 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:mpr:mprres:3f875df699534c72b9e57c39dacedd04&r=ure |
| By: | Hanley Chiang; Stephen Lipscomb; Brian Gill |
| Abstract: | Using data on elementary and middle school math and reading outcomes for Pennsylvania students, this working paper found that school value-added provides little useful information for comparing the general leadership skills of different principals when these comparisons include some principals who are in their first three years at their current positions. |
| Keywords: | School Value-Added Principal Quality Education |
| JEL: | I |
| Date: | 2014–12–30 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:mpr:mprres:a11ab111ac3a497885e0a736fbaf92ac&r=ure |
| By: | C. Fuhrmeister; Mirko Titze; U. Blum; Philipp Marek |
| Abstract: | This paper contributes to the discussion on the importance of physical distance in the emergence of cross-region collaborative Research and Development (R&D) interactions. The proximity theory, and its extensions, is used as a theoretical framework. A spatial interaction model for count data was implemented for the empirical analysis of German data from the period from 2005 to 2010. The results show that all tested proximity measurements (geographical, cognitive, social and institutional proximity) have a significant positive influence on collaboration intensity. The proximity paradox, however, cannot be confirmed for geographical, social and institutional proximity, but for cognitive proximity. |
| Keywords: | proximity theory, proximity paradox, gravity models, cross-regional collaborations, spatial interaction |
| JEL: | O18 R00 R11 |
| Date: | 2014–12 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:iwh:dispap:12-14&r=ure |
| By: | Harounan Kazianga; Dan Levy; Leigh L. Linden; Matt Sloan |
| Abstract: | This article evaluates a program that constructed high quality “girl-friendly†primary schools in Burkina Faso. After 2.5 years, the program increased enrollment by 19 percentage points and increased test scores by 0.41 standard deviations. Girls’ enrollment increased by 5 percentage points more than boys’ enrollment, but test scores were the same for boys and girls. |
| Keywords: | BRIGHT, School Construction, Girl-Friendly, Schools, Burkina Faso, International, Education |
| JEL: | F Z |
| Date: | 2013–07–30 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:mpr:mprres:0115ef3a2998483493dd24537e07d70a&r=ure |
| By: | Steven Glazerman; Ali Protik; Bing-ru Teh; Julie Bruch; Jeffrey Max |
| Abstract: | Many education policy experts have raised concerns that disadvantaged students do not have the same access to highly effective teachers as other students. To address this issue, IES sponsored an evaluation of an intervention known to study participants as the Talent Transfer Initiative (TTI). TTI offered a financial incentive to the teachers with the highest scores year after year on value-added measures (estimates of their ability to raise test scores, after accounting for differences between students) if they would transfer to a low-achieving school in the same district and remain there for at least two years. About 22 percent of the selected teachers applied for the transfer, and 5 percent (81 teachers) ultimately transferred. These teachers filled 88 percent of the targeted teaching vacancies in low-performing schools. |
| Keywords: | TTI, Teacher Transfer Incentives, High-Performing Schools, Multisite Randomized Experiment |
| JEL: | I |
| Date: | 2013–11–07 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:mpr:mprres:a8d81403a6db46109728c3e8a4228473&r=ure |
| By: | Dahmann, Sarah; Anger, Silke (Institut für Arbeitsmarkt- und Berufsforschung (IAB), Nürnberg [Institute for Employment Research, Nuremberg, Germany]) |
| Abstract: | "This paper investigates the short-term effects of a reduction in the length of high school on students' personality traits using a school reform carried out at the state level in Germany as a quasi-natural experiment. Starting in 2001, academic-track high school (Gymnasium) was reduced from nine to eight years in most of Germany's federal states, leaving the overall curriculum unchanged. This enabled students to obtain a university entrance qualification (Abitur ) after a total of only 12 rather than 13 years of schooling. We exploit the variation in the length of academic-track high school over time and across states to identify the effect of schooling on students' Big Five personality traits and on their locus of control. Using rich data on adolescents and young adults from the German Socio-Economic Panel (SOEP) study, our estimates show that shortening high school caused students on average to be more extroverted and less emotionally stable. Our estimates point to important heterogeneous effects. In addition to differences between East and West Germany, we find that male students and students from disrupted families showed stronger personality changes following the reform: they became more agreeable and more extroverted, respectively. We conclude that the educational system plays an important role in shaping adolescents' personality traits." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en)) |
| Keywords: | Gymnasium, Schulreform - Auswirkungen, Persönlichkeitsmerkmale, Abiturienten, altersspezifische Faktoren, Persönlichkeitsentwicklung, soziales Verhalten, psychische Faktoren, regionaler Vergleich, soziale Qualifikation, Qualifikationsentwicklung, Selbstverantwortung, Schüler, Ostdeutschland, Westdeutschland, Bundesrepublik Deutschland |
| JEL: | I21 I28 J24 |
| Date: | 2014–12–18 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:iab:iabdpa:201429&r=ure |
| By: | Steven Laufer (Federal Reserve Board) |
| Abstract: | Using a property-level data set of houses in Los Angeles County, I estimate that 30% of the recent surge in mortgage defaults is attributable to early home-buyers who would not have defaulted had they not borrowed against the rising value of their homes during the boom. I develop and estimate a structural model capable of explaining the patterns of both equity extraction and default observed among this group of homeowners. In the model, most of these defaults are attributable to the high loan-to-value ratios generated by this additional borrowing combined with the expectation that house prices would continue to decline. Only 30% are the result of income shocks and liquidity constraints. I use this model to analyze a policy that limits the maximum size of cash-out refinances to 80% of the current house value. I find that this restriction would reduce house prices by 14% and defaults by 28%. Despite the reduced borrowing opportunities, the welfare gain from this policy for new homeowners is equivalent to 3.2% of consumption because of their ability to purchase houses at lower prices. |
| Date: | 2014 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:red:sed014:634&r=ure |
| By: | Stephan Brunow (Institut für Arbeitsmarkt- und Berufsforschung (IAB)); Luise Grünwald (Technische Universität Dresden) |
| Abstract: | Theoretical and empirical contributions on export behavior highlight the importance of firms' productivity and their levels of economies of scale on firms' export success in `foreign’ markets. In the context of agglomeration economies, firms enjoy productivity gains when they are located close to competitors or upstreaming industries and they benefit from knowledge spillovers and other positive externalities. In such a stimulating environment, firms become more prone to be exporters. Beyond the role played by externalities, firms may benefit when they employ a diverse workforce and when the interaction of distinct knowledge and related problem-solving abilities increases productivity and secures export success. In this paper, we ask whether German firms (i.e., establishments) benefit from localization and urbanization externalities and face higher export proportions. We also control for a variety of establishment characteristics and workforce diversity. For this purpose, a comprehensive German data set that combines survey data and administrative data is used. While controlling for firm heterogeneity in a fractional response model, we provide evidence that manufacturing establishments and smaller establishments (up to 250 employees) benefit most from externalities and especially from knowledge spillover. There is weak evidence supporting the benefit of workforce diversity; however, that factor could explain between-establishment variation. |
| Keywords: | Export behavior, firms, agglomeration economies, cultural and workforce diversity |
| JEL: | D F J M R12 |
| Date: | 2014–12 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:nor:wpaper:2014008&r=ure |
| By: | Doerner, William; Leventis, Andrew |
| Abstract: | Trends in residential house values can be expressed by changes in House Price Indexes (HPIs). Since the recent housing crash, distressed sales have increased in numbers and have led to concerns about how they affect HPIs. This paper has three parts. First, FHFA’s standard HPIs are compared to HPIs constructed without distressed sales. Second, FHFA’s identification of distressed sales is validated against a public data source. Third, the distressed sale discount is shown to vary across time and place. The magnitude of the discount also depends on whether the current or prior recent sales are distressed. |
| Keywords: | property value; house price index; HPI; repeat sales; distressed sales |
| JEL: | C43 R30 |
| Date: | 2014 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:61022&r=ure |
| By: | Thomas KOSTAL (Institute for Public Sector Economics, Department of Economics, WU Vienna University of Economics and Business, Austria); Verena MICHALITSCH (Institute for Public Sector Economics, WU Vienna University of Economics and Business, Austria); Gabriel OBERMANN (Institute for Public Sector Economics, Department of Economics, WU Vienna University of Economics and Business, Austria) |
| Abstract: | The subject of this case study, Wiener Linien GmbH & Co KG, is the biggest company in Austrian local and regional transport sector. As a formally independent enterprise under private law and owned by the city, it has been the sole provider of local public passenger transport services in the City of Vienna since 1999. The organisational model applied in Vienna is an in-house solution in accordance with EU law, with Wiener Linien acting as an integrated operator, although it has subcontracted bus transport services partly to private enterprises. The quality of the transport services provided by Wiener Linien consistently receives high ratings in international comparisons and rankings. The case study endeavours to analyse the structures and strategies which can be regarded as relevant factors for successful provision of public services, and to draw conclusions for the governance of public enterprises in a dynamic environment, entrusted with the provision of key services of general economic interest and with a clear public mission. The paper presents a summary of main findings and conclusions, as well as a few lessons learned derived from the Viennese experience. |
| Keywords: | Local public enterprises, local public passenger transport, public service obligation, public service provision, services of general economic interest, governance, regulation, in-house solution, case study, Austria, Vienna |
| Date: | 2014 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:crc:wpaper:1417&r=ure |
| By: | Cortes, Kalena E. (Texas A&M University); Goodman, Joshua (Harvard University); Nomi, Takako (St. Louis University) |
| Abstract: | We study an intensive math instruction policy that assigned low-skilled 9th graders to an algebra course that doubled instructional time, altered peer composition and emphasized problem solving skills. A regression discontinuity design shows substantial positive impacts of double-dose algebra on credits earned, test scores, high school graduation and college enrollment rates. Test score effects under-predict attainment effects, highlighting the importance of long-run evaluation of such a policy. Perhaps because the intervention focused on verbal exposition of mathematical concepts, the impact was largest for students with below average reading skills, emphasizing the need to target interventions toward appropriately skilled students. |
| Keywords: | double-dose algebra, instructional time, peer effects, math curriculum, educational attainment, high school graduation, college enrollment |
| JEL: | I20 I21 I24 J15 J24 |
| Date: | 2014–12 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:iza:izadps:dp8734&r=ure |
| By: | Andrew T. Young (West Virginia University, College of Business and Economics); Matthew J. Higgins (Georgia Institute of Technology & NBER); Donald J. Lacombe (West Virginia University, College of Business and Economics); Briana Sell (Georgia Institute of Technology) |
| Abstract: | Conventional wisdom suggests that small businesses are innovative engines of Schumpetarian growth. However, as small businesses, they are likely to face credit rationing in financial markets. If true then policies that promote lending to small businesses may yield substantial economy-wide returns. We examine the relationship between Small Business Administration (SBA) lending and local economic growth using a spatial econometric framework and a sample of 3,035 U.S. counties for the years 1980 to 2009. We find evidence that a county’s SBA lending per capita is associated with direct negative effects on its income growth. We also find evidence of indirect negative effects on the growth rates of neighboring counties. Overall, a 10% increase in SBA loans per capita is associated with a cumulative decrease in income growth rates of about 2%. |
| Keywords: | Small Business Administration, guaranteed loans, economic growth, income growth, entrepreneurship, US counties, spatial econometrics, spillovers |
| JEL: | O47 E65 R11 H25 C23 |
| Date: | 2014–12 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wvu:wpaper:14-35&r=ure |
| By: | Elias Walsh Dallas Dotter |
| Keywords: | Teacher Effectiveness, DC Public Schools, Education |
| JEL: | I |
| Date: | 2014–07–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:mpr:mprres:65770df94dde4573b331ce1cb33a9e07&r=ure |
| By: | Jérôme Stuck (1 Institute of Economic and Cultural Geography, Leibniz University, Hanover, Germany); Tom Broekel (Institute of Economic and Cultural Geography, Leibniz University, Hanover, Germany); Javier Revilla (Institute of Geography, University of Cologne, Cologne Germany) |
| Abstract: | While interactive learning and inter-organisational relations are fundamental building blocks in RIS theory, the framework is rarely related to investigations of regional knowledge network structures, because in RIS literature relational structures and interaction networks are discussed in a rather fuzzy and generic manner with the ‘network term’ often being used rather metaphorically. This paper contributes to the literature by discussing theoretical arguments about interactions and knowledge exchange relations in the RIS literature from the perspective of social network analysis. More precise, it links network theoretical concepts and insights to the well-known classification of RIS types by Cooke (2004). We thereby exemplarily show how the RIS literature and the literature on regional knowledge networks can benefit from considering insights of the respective other. |
| Keywords: | regional innovation system, network analysis, SNA, RIS |
| JEL: | O18 O33 R11 R12 |
| Date: | 2014–12–17 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pum:wpaper:2014-09&r=ure |
| By: | Sebastian Stumpner (UC Berkeley) |
| Abstract: | I use the large spatial variation in consumer demand shocks at the onset of the Great Recession to study the mechanisms behind the ensuing geographic spread of the crisis. While the initial increase in unemployment was concentrated in areas with housing busts, subsequently unemployment slowly spread across space. By 2009, it was above pre-crisis levels in almost all U.S. counties. I show that trade was an important driver of this geographic spread of the crisis. To identify the trade channel empirically, I make use of heterogeneity in the direction of trade flows across industries in the same state: Industries that sold relatively more to states with housing boom-bust cycles grew by more before the crisis and declined faster from 2007-09. These results cannot be explained by a collapse in credit supply. I then link the reduced form empirical evidence to a formal model of contagion through trade. In a quantitative exercise, the model delivers a cross-sectional effect of similar magnitude as the one found empirically and reveals that the trade channel can explain roughly half of the overall spread. |
| Date: | 2014 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:red:sed014:638&r=ure |
| By: | Melissa A. Clark; Hanley S. Chiang; Tim Silva; Sheena McConnell; Kathy Sonnenfeld; Anastasia Erbe; Michael Puma |
| Abstract: | The first large-scale, random assignment study of the effects of secondary school math teachers from Teach For America and the Teaching Fellows programs found they were as effective as, and in some cases more effective than, teachers receiving traditional certification. The study was sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education's Institute of Education Sciences. |
| Keywords: | Teach For America, Teaching Fellows, Secondary Math, Teacher Effectiveness, Teacher Preparation, Alternative Routes to Certification, Impact Evaluation, Random Assignment |
| JEL: | I |
| Date: | 2013–09–10 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:mpr:mprres:ad5192faecc9490288484de354016262&r=ure |
| By: | Jun Gu; Ingrid Nielsen; Jason Shachat; Russell Smyth; Yujia Peng |
| Abstract: | A large body of literature attests to the growing social divide between urban residents and rural-urban migrants in China’s cities. This study uses a randomised experiment to test the effect of intergroup contact on attitudes between a group of urban adolescents and a group of rural-urban migrant adolescents. Results showed that intergroup contact in the form of a fun and cooperative puzzle task significantly reduced negative attitudes toward the other group. Implications for desegregated schooling and their broader societal implications in China are discussed. |
| Date: | 2014–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:mos:moswps:2014-28&r=ure |
| By: | Tim Silva; Allison McKie; Virginia Knechtel; Philip Gleason; Libby Makowsky |
| Abstract: | In 2008, Congress created the Teacher Quality Partnership Grant Program to fund alternative training programs that draw highly qualified teachers to high-need schools. Funded under this grant, teaching residency programs (TRPs) are designed to attract new teachers to the profession. The programs offer coursework toward a master’s degree along with a one-year supervised residency under the guidance of a full-time teacher. |
| Keywords: | teaching, teacher, residency, teaching residency program, novice teacher, teacher retention, teacher preparation, mentor, induction, teacher training, high-need school, high-need district |
| JEL: | I |
| Date: | 2014–11–19 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:mpr:mprres:58dae816db6b4d008b73ac09df6a92cb&r=ure |
| By: | Liang Choon Wang |
| Abstract: | How students’ non-school inputs respond to ability grouping may explain the currently mixed findings in the literature about the impacts of tracking. Using data from South Korea, where students are randomized into middle schools under the country’s equalization policy, but sorted into different high schools on the basis of achievement in some non-equalization policy areas, I find that under ability sorting, students’ demand for private tutoring, self-study time, and grade anxiety levels are lower, and their hours of sleep and leisure are higher. The effects on private tutoring are particularly significant for high achievers, while the effects on self-study and leisure hours are strong for low achievers. The results potentially help reconcile the mixed findings in the ability grouping and tracking literature. |
| Keywords: | Tracking; shadow education; leisure; time use; anxiety; Korea. |
| JEL: | I21 I28 I31 J22 J24 |
| Date: | 2014–09 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:mos:moswps:2014-37&r=ure |
| By: | Nikhil Agarwal; Paulo Somaini |
| Abstract: | Several school districts use assignment systems in which students have a strategic incentive to misrepresent their preferences. Indeed, we find evidence suggesting that reported preferences in Cambridge, MA respond to these incentives. Such strategizing can complicate the analysis of preferences. The paper develops a new method for estimating preferences in such environments. Our approach views the report made by a student as a choice of a probability distribution over assignment to various schools. We introduce a large class of mechanisms for which consistent estimation is feasible. We then study identification of a latent utility preference model under the assumption that agents play a Bayesian Nash Equilibrium. Preferences are non-parametrically identified under either sufficient variation in choice environments or sufficient variation in a special regressor. We then propose a tractable estimation procedure for a parametric model based on Gibbs’ sampling. Estimates from Cambridge suggest that while 84% of students are assigned to their stated first choice, only 75% are assigned to their true first choice. The difference occurs because students avoid ranking competitive schools in favor of less competitive schools. Although the Cambridge mechanism is manipulable, we estimate that welfare for the average student would be lower in the popular Deferred Acceptance mechanism. |
| JEL: | C50 I20 |
| Date: | 2014–12 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:nbr:nberwo:20775&r=ure |
| By: | Melissa Clark |
| Abstract: | Secondary math teachers from Teach For America are more effective than other math teachers in the same schools; secondary math teachers from Teaching Fellows programs are as effective as, and in some cases more effective than, other math teachers in the same schools. |
| Keywords: | TFA, Teach For America, Teaching Fellows, Effective Teaching, Secondary Math, Education |
| Date: | 2013–09–30 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:mpr:mprres:52b3456a46e64131973c07282767dcb9&r=ure |
| By: | Brian Gill; Julie Bruch; Kevin Booker |
| Abstract: | This report summarizes the evidence on measures of student achievement growth used in teacher evaluation that do not rely on traditional annual state assessments, and that instead use commercially available assessments, locally developed common assessments, and teacher-developed student learning objectives. |
| Keywords: | teacher effectiveness, alternative assessment, student growth, value added, student learning objectives , education |
| JEL: | I |
| Date: | 2013–09–30 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:mpr:mprres:85b7a88ce0cf4597a7efd7a21983eafc&r=ure |
| By: | Svetlana Bankovskaya (National Research University Higher School of Economics) |
| Abstract: | The paper is based on the outcomes and inferences from the experiment with urban heterotopia found on the Manezhnaya square in Moscow. The main point of the experimental design (ethnomethodological in its intent) is to explore in vivo the heterotopical properties of the urban environment as the condition of this environment’s creativity and its interaction with the mobile actors. Creativity of the urban environment was interpreted as a particular kind of spatial order accumulating in counterfinal effects of collective behavior in the unique constellation --“heterotopia”. The flaneur was chosen as the most appropriate actor displaying the properties of an object and that of a receptive mobile interactant. The object of the experiment was the fragment of the metropolitan environment which combines the logic of the urban social organization (embodied in its concrete place) and the paralogy of the counterfinality of the mobilities inside this particular environment.Two modes of interaction were provoked in the experiment: first, intended, but unpurposive action observed by the passage through the ambiances of the specific fragment of the city by the flaneur, and focusing on his affective states during these actions (the affective profile of the place thus was achieved); and second, observing and mapping the flaneur’s movements as a purposive interaction with the same fragment of the environment, but in the form of derive (observation of the movement by the means of movement). The end of the observation in movement was to focus on the flaneur’s movements and to depict his route through the observable details of the spatial/social order of the environment. |
| Keywords: | urban history, history of sociology, new urbanism, heterotopias, creative environment, counterfinality, psychogeography, flaneurism, derive |
| JEL: | Z |
| Date: | 2014 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hig:wpaper:70hum2014&r=ure |
| By: | Lauren Akers; Alexandra Resch; Jillian Berk |
| Abstract: | This guide for district and school leaders shows how to recognize opportunities to embed randomized controlled trials (RCTs) into planned policies or programs. Opportunistic RCTs can generate strong evidence for informing education decisions—with minimal added cost and disruption. The guide also outlines the key steps to conduct RCTs and responds to common questions and concerns about RCTs. Readers will find a real life example of how one district took advantage of an opportunity to learn whether a summer reading program worked. |
| Keywords: | education interventions, evidence-based decision making, randomized control trial, research partnerships, school improvement, student outcomes, Education |
| JEL: | I |
| Date: | 2014–06–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:mpr:mprres:56c2520244a6489ea877cd238d3f269e&r=ure |
| By: | Hårsman, Björn (CESIS - Centre of Excellence for Science and Innovation Studies, Royal Institute of Technology); Wahlström, Marie H. (Department of Urban Planning and Environment, Royal Institute of Technology) |
| Abstract: | The Swedish energy performance certificates for single family housing provide rich information on energy consumption and various physical attributes. They also include estimates of the energy conservation potentials resulting from implementing cost-efficient energy saving measures. By matching the certificates issued for single family houses in 2009 and 2010, with data from other sources we have created a unique data-base which can be used to explore a wide variety of questions related to energy consumption and conservation. One aim of this paper is to assess the role for energy consumption played by socio-economic characteristics of the residents as compared to physical attributes of the house. Another is to estimate the influence of housing attributes and climate on the “engineering estimates” of the conservation potentials and analyze to what extent the two estimated relationships are consistent. Our results show that while the quantitative impact of physical attributes dominate the energy use for heating and cooling, the opposite holds for the consumption of household electricity. The assessed conservation potential, amounting to 15 percent of the energy consumption, is significantly related to both the housing attributes and the energy consumption. The results also indicate a need to improve the information provided by the performance certificates. |
| Keywords: | Energy consumption; Energy conservation; Single family housing; Energy performance certificates; Household characteristics |
| JEL: | D12 Q28 R31 |
| Date: | 2014–12–18 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hhs:cesisp:0388&r=ure |
| By: | Lindgren, Karl-Oskar (IFAU - Institute for Evaluation of Labour Market and Education Policy); Oskarsson, Sven (Department of Government, Uppsala University); T Dawes, Christopher (Department of Politics, New York University) |
| Abstract: | Over the years, many suggestions have been made on how to reduce the importance of family background in political recruitment. In this study, we examine the effectiveness of one such proposal: the expansion of mass education. More precisely, we utilize a difference-in-difference strategy to analyze how a large school reform launched in Sweden in the 1950s, which lengthened compulsory schooling and postponed tracking, affected the likelihood of individuals with different family backgrounds to run for public office. The data comes from public registers and pertains to the entire Swedish population born between 1943 and 1955. Overall, the empirical analysis provides strong support for the view that improved educational opportunities for individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds can be an effective means to reduce the importance of family background in political recruitment. According to our estimates, the Swedish comprehensive school reform served to reduce the effect of family background on the likelihood of running for public office by up to 40 percent. |
| Keywords: | Political inequality; political participation; political candidacy; inequality; education |
| JEL: | H70 I24 |
| Date: | 2014–12–19 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hhs:ifauwp:2014_029&r=ure |
| By: | Ellwanger , Nils (APE BV, Den Haag); Boschma , Ron (Center for Innovation and Research and Competence in the Learning Economy (CIRCLE), Lund University, Sweden, and Utrecht University,Urban and Regional research centre Utrecht (URU), The Netherlands) |
| Abstract: | In economic geography, geographical proximity has been identified as a key driver of M&A activity. In this context, little attention has yet been drawn to the effect of industrial relatedness, which refers to the similarity and complementarity of business activities. We examine 1,855 domestic M&A deals announced between 2002 and 2008 in the Netherlands, and we assess the extent to which geographical proximity and industrial relatedness affect M&A partnering. Our study shows that geographical proximity drives domestic M&A deals, even at very detailed spatial scales like the municipality level. We also found evidence that companies that share the same or complementary industries are more likely to engage in an M&A deal. Logistic regressions show that the effect of industrial relatedness is stronger than the effect of geographical proximity and that the effect of geographical proximity is stronger in unrelated than related target selection. |
| Keywords: | Mergers and acquisitions; Netherlands; geographical proximity; home bias; industrial relatedness |
| JEL: | O18 R00 R11 |
| Date: | 2014–12–15 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hhs:lucirc:2014_030&r=ure |
| By: | Isaksen , Arne (Department of Working Life and Innovation, University of Agder, Norway); Trippl , Michaela (Center for Innovation and Research and Competence in the Learning Economy (CIRCLE), Lund University, Sweden) |
| Abstract: | This paper seeks to enhance our understanding of critical preconditions and factors that facilitate the rise and development of new industrial paths in peripheral regional economies. Current conceptualizations of regional path creation are largely based on experiences from core regions and fail to provide satisfactory theoretical explanations of new path development in peripheral regions. Applying a knowledge base approach, we advance the argument that path creation in the periphery can follow either an analytic or a synthetic route. We highlight that new path development is linked to an increase of knowledge variety through the combination of knowledge from outside and inside the region. The paper contains an analysis of the emergence and evolution of new industries in two peripheral regions in Norway and Austria: the electronics and software industry in Arendal-Grimstad in the South-Eastern part of Norway, and the software industry in Mühlviertel in Upper Austria. The two industries have developed differently; through the 'synthetic route' based on the emergence and restructuring of manufacturing firms in Arendal-Grimstad, and through the 'analytical route' building on the establishment of research facilities in Mühlviertel. However, similar factors, such as exogenous development impulses through the inflow of new analytical and synthetic knowledge, the presence of key actors of change, and building of supportive institutional structures are found to be vital in sparking the formation of new industrial paths in both regions. The two cases, however, differed in their further evolution, as they showed varying capacities to successfully combine the newly emerging knowledge base with the existing one. The findings clearly challenge uniform, narrowly conceptualized models of endogenous industrial evolution and highlight the advantages of applying a theoretical framework that takes not only endogenous but also exogenous sources of path creation and its relation to combinations of knowledge bases into account. |
| Keywords: | Peripheral regions; new path creation; knowledge bases |
| JEL: | O18 O38 R11 |
| Date: | 2014–12–15 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hhs:lucirc:2014_031&r=ure |
| By: | Daniele Coen-Pirani (University of Pittsburgh) |
| Abstract: | More than half of the variation across U.S. school districts in real K-12 education expenditures per student is due to differences between, rather than within, states. I study the welfare implications of redistribution of education expenditures by the Federal government, using an analytically tractable model of human capital accumulation with heterogeneous agents and endogenous state policies. The net welfare effect of Federal redistribution depends on a trade-off between the positive effect of redistributing resources toward poorer states and the negative effect resulting from misallocation of population across states. Federal redistribution increases welfare in a calibrated version of the model. |
| Keywords: | human capital, education expenditures, redistribution, federal, local, state governments, geographic mobility |
| JEL: | E24 H70 I20 J60 |
| Date: | 2014–12 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hka:wpaper:2014-024&r=ure |
| By: | Jihad Dagher; Yangfan Sun |
| Abstract: | Laws governing the foreclosure process can have direct consequences on the costs of foreclosure and could therefore affect lending decisions. We exploit the heterogeneity in the judicial requirements across U.S. states to examine their impact on banks’ lending decisions in a sample of urban areas straddling state borders. A key feature of our study is the way it exploits an exogenous cutoff in loan eligibility to GSE guarantees which shift the burden of foreclosure costs onto the GSEs. We find that judicial requirements reduce the supply of credit only for jumbo loans that are ineligible for GSE guarantees. These laws do not affect, however, the relative demand of jumbo loans. Our findings, which also hold using novel nonbinary measures of judicial requirements, illustrate the consequences of foreclosure laws on the supply of mortgage credit. They also shed light on a significant indirect cross-subsidy by the GSEs to borrower-friendly states that has been overlooked thus far. |
| Keywords: | Mortgages;United States;Banks;Loans;Credit;Supply and demand;Econometric models;Borrower protection, foreclosure laws, credit supply, regulation, GSEs |
| Date: | 2014–11–26 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:imf:imfwpa:14/212&r=ure |
| By: | Anirban Basu; Andrew M. Jones; Pedro Rosa Dias |
| Abstract: | We examine heterogeneity in the impacts of exposure to mixed-ability ‘comprehensive’ schools in adolescence on long-term health and smoking behaviour. We explore the roles that cognitive and non-cognitive skills may play in moderating these impacts. We use data from the 1958 National Child Development Study (NCDS) cohort, whose secondary schooling years lay within the transition years of a major reform that transformed secondary education in England and Wales from a selective system of schooling to mixed-ability comprehensive schools. We adopt a local instrumental variables approach to estimate person-centred treatment (PeT) effects of comprehensive over selective schooling system. Our results indicate that the newer comprehensive schooling system produced significant negative effects on long-term health and increased smoking behavior among a small fraction of individuals, for whom the effects were persistent over time. The ATE and TT were quantitatively similar and statistically insignificant indicating that cognitive abilities, the major driver for selection in to comprehensive schools, did not moderate the effects. The PeT effects indicate that individuals with lower non-cognitive skills were most likely to be negatively affected by exposure to mixed-ability schools. Our results also show that cigarette smoking could be a leading transmission channel of the long-term impact on health outcomes. |
| JEL: | C21 C26 I12 I28 |
| Date: | 2014–12 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:nbr:nberwo:20811&r=ure |
| By: | Celina Kamler; Emily Moiduddin; Lizabeth Malone |
| Abstract: | This study examined program practices in a state-funded preschool in Northern California that had recently added a new assessment to its existing tools to measure and evaluate preschool students' school readiness. |
| Keywords: | Child Assessment, Early Childhood, Milpitas Unified School District |
| JEL: | I |
| Date: | 2014–04–30 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:mpr:mprres:e39220ef27ff4b93873e914e296d0981&r=ure |
| By: | Masayoshi Hayashi (Faculty of Economics, The University of Tokyo); Wataru Yamamoto (Graduate School of Economics, The University of Tokyo) |
| Abstract: | The Japanese government provides information on local fiscal performance through the Fiscal Index Tables for Similar Municipalities (FITS-M). The FITS-M categorize municipalities into groups of “similar†entities and provide them with the fiscal indices of their group members. Thus, the central government intends to let municipalities use the FITS-M system to identify their “neighbors†(i.e., municipalities sharing the same FITS-M group) and employ their fiscal information as a “yardstick†for fiscal planning. We take advantage of this system of fiscal information sharing to estimate municipal spending function. In particular, we examine if the FITS-M help identify a defensible spatial weights matrix that properly describes spending interactions among Japanese localities. Our analysis shows that the FITS-M work as intended. In addition, we show that geographical distance does not matter in spending interactions among municipalities, thus lending support to the view that the interactions originate from yardstick competition and not from other types of fiscal competition. |
| Date: | 2014–12 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:tky:fseres:2014cf951&r=ure |
| By: | Bhupatiraju S. (UNU-MERIT) |
| Abstract: | In this paper we examine the role of institutions relative to economic performance, absolute geography and financial performance of a country. In order to do this, we use the spatial principal component analysis and a spatial canonical correlation analysis to obtain multi-dimensional measure of institutions, economic performance, absolute geography and financial performance of countries. Our analysis shows that the first canonical functions in all the cases give us results that conform to current literature. That is, we find that a higher level of development is correlated to a higher level of institutional quality, deeper financial structure as well as good geography of the Jeffery Sachs variety. From the second canonical functions we find that economic growth is correlated to market steering. We further find that geographic conditions need not define the institutional set up of countries. A similar institutional set up need not result in a similar financial structure in countries. We show that there is a necessity to take spatial interactions with neighbouring countries into account while analysing the relationships between institutions, geography, economic and financial performance of a country. We find that space indeed has a strong influence on the prevailing institutional and economic conditions of countries. While the impact of space on geography is very obvious, we find that it has no bearing on the financial performance of countries. |
| Keywords: | Economic Development: General; Economic Development: Financial Markets; Saving and Capital Investment; Corporate Finance and Governance; Formal and Informal Sectors; Shadow Economy; Institutional Arrangements; Institutions and Growth; Size and Spatial Distributions of Regional Economic Activity; General Regional Economics: Econometric and Input-Output Models; Other Models; |
| JEL: | O10 O16 O17 O43 R12 R15 |
| Date: | 2014 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:unm:unumer:2014086&r=ure |
| By: | Badi H. Baltagi (Center for Policy Research, Maxwell School, Syracuse University, 426 Eggers Hall, Syracuse, NY 13244); Peter H. Egger (ETH Zurich, Leonhardstrasse 21, 8092 Zurich) |
| Abstract: | This paper assesses the role of intra-sectoral spillovers in total factor productivity across Chinese producers in the chemical industry. We use a rich panel data-set of 12,552 firms observed over the period 2004-2006 and model output by the firm as a function of skilled and unskilled labor, capital, materials, and total factor productivity, which is broadly defined. The latter is a composite of observable factors such as export market participation, foreign as well as public ownership, the extent of accumulated intangible assets, and unobservable total factor productivity. Despite the richness of our data-set, it suffers from the lack of time variation in the number of skilled workers as well as in the variable indicating public ownership. We introduce spatial spillovers in total factor productivity through contextual effects of observable variables as well as spatial dependence of the disturbances. We extend the Hausman and Taylor (1981) estimator to account for spatial correlation in the error term. This approach permits estimating the effect of time-invariant variables which are wiped out by the fixed effects estimator. While the original Hausman and Taylor (1981) estimator assumes homoskedastic error components, we provide spatial variants that allow for both homoskedasticity and heteroskedasticity. Monte Carlo results show, that our estimation procedure performs well in small samples. We find evidence of positive spillovers across chemical manufacturers and a large and significant detrimental effect of public ownership on total factor productivity. |
| Keywords: | Technology Spillovers, Spatial econometrics, Panel data econometrics, Firm-level productivity, Chinese firms |
| JEL: | C23 C31 D24 L65 |
| Date: | 2014–12 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:max:cprwps:173&r=ure |
| By: | Martin Goetz; Luc Laeven; Ross Levine |
| Abstract: | We develop a new identification strategy to evaluate the impact of the geographic expansion of bank holding company (BHC) assets across U.S. metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) on BHC risk. We find that the geographic expansion of bank assets reduces risk. Moreover, geographic expansion reduces risk more when BHCs expand into economically dissimilar MSAs, i.e., MSAs with different industrial structures and business cycles. We do not find that geographic diversification improves loan quality. Our results are consistent with arguments that geographic expansion lowers risk by reducing exposure to idiosyncratic local risks and inconsistent with arguments that geographic expansion, on net, increases risk by reducing the ability of BHCs to monitor loans and manage risks. |
| JEL: | G11 G21 G28 |
| Date: | 2014–12 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:nbr:nberwo:20758&r=ure |
| By: | Mai Dao; Davide Furceri; Prakash Loungani |
| Abstract: | We examine patterns of regional adjustments to shocks in the US during the past four decades. We find that the response of interstate migration to relative labor market conditions has decreased, while the role of the unemployment rate as absorber of regional shocks has increased. However, the response of net migration to regional shocks is stronger during aggregate downturns and increased particularly during the Great Recession. We offer a potential explanation for the cyclical pattern of migration response based on the variation in consumption risk sharing. |
| Keywords: | Labor markets;United States;Regional shocks;Labor demand;Unemployment;Labor mobility;Migrations;Regional economics;Interstate migration, labor mobility, regional labor markets |
| Date: | 2014–11–25 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:imf:imfwpa:14/211&r=ure |
| By: | Ho, Steven Wei (Tsinghua University); Zhang, Ji (Tsinghua University); Zhou, Hao (Tsinghua University) |
| Abstract: | We study a factor-augmented vector autoregression model to estimate the effects of changes in U.S. monetary policy, as well as changes in U.S. policy uncertainty, on the Chinese economy. We find that since the Great Recession, a decline in the U.S. policy rate would result in a significant increase in Chinese regulated interest rates, and rise in Chinese housing investment. One possible reason for this is the substantial inflow of hot money into China. Responses of Chinese variables to U.S. shocks at the zero lower bound are different from that in normal times, which suggest structural changes in both the Chinese economy and the U.S. monetary policy transmission mechanism. Moreover, an increase in U.S. policy uncertainty negatively impacts Chinese stock and real estate market during normal times, but not at the zero lower bound. |
| JEL: | C3 E4 E5 F3 |
| Date: | 2014–11–01 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:fip:feddgw:211&r=ure |
| By: | Elisabeth Bügelmayer; Daniel D. Schnitzlein |
| Abstract: | In this paper we present sibling and neighbor correlations in school grades and cognitive skills as well as indicators of physical and mental health for a sample of German adolescents. In a first step, we estimate sibling correlations and find substantial influence of shared family and community background on all outcomes. To further disentangle the influence of family background and neighborhood, we estimate neighbor correlations. Our results show that for all outcomes, estimated neighbor correlations are clearly lower than estimated sibling correlations. However, especially for cognitive skills and mental health, neighbor correlations are still substantial in relation to sibling correlations. Thus, compared to existing results from other countries, the influence of the neighborhood is not negligible in Germany for some outcomes. |
| Keywords: | Sibling correlations, intergenerational mobility, neighbor correlations |
| JEL: | J62 |
| Date: | 2014 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:diw:diwsop:diw_sp716&r=ure |
| By: | Ivaldi, Marc; Quinet, Emile; Urdanoz, Miguel; de Villemeur, Étienne |
| Abstract: | The so-called buffer time or buffer delay allows airlines to control for excessive delays by introducing extra time in their schedule in addition to what is technically required. . We study the differences between unregulated markets - where airlines are free to fix their buffer times strategically - and a situation where a social planner would control for time schedules, and in particular the buffer time. To do so, we use a calibrated model of a network of three cities - one of them being a hub - served by a single airline. Welfare losses that follow from delays are relatively small as compared to the potential benefits that would follow from a decrease in ticket prices. The model thus advocates that, at least for the connections that are considered, fares rather than delays should be the focus of institutions aiming at enhancing passengers’ welfare. |
| Keywords: | Airlines, Delays, Social Optimum, Calibration |
| JEL: | L50 L93 R41 |
| Date: | 2014–12 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:tse:wpaper:28859&r=ure |
| By: | Anderson, D. Mark (Montana State University); Crost, Benjamin (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign); Rees, Daniel I. (University of Colorado Denver) |
| Abstract: | Drawing on county-level data from Kansas for the period 1977-2011, we examine whether plausibly exogenous increases in the number of establishments licensed to sell alcohol by the drink are related to violent crime. During this period, 86 out of 105 counties in Kansas voted to legalize the sale of alcohol to the general public for on-premises consumption. We provide evidence that these counties experienced substantial increases in the total number of establishments with on-premises liquor licenses (e.g., bars and restaurants). Using legalization as an instrument, we show that a 10 percent increase in drinking establishments is associated with a 4 percent increase in violent crime. Reduced-form estimates suggest that legalizing the sale of alcohol to the general public for on-premises consumption is associated with an 11 percent increase in violent crime. |
| Keywords: | alcohol, liquor licenses, crime |
| JEL: | H75 K42 |
| Date: | 2014–12 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:iza:izadps:dp8718&r=ure |