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School Spending and Student Outcomes: Evidence from Revenue Limit Elections in Wisconsin†

Publication ,  Journal Article
Baron, EJ
Published in: American Economic Journal: Economic Policy
February 1, 2022

This study examines the impacts of two distinct types of school spending on student outcomes. State-imposed revenue limits cap the total amount of revenue that a school district in Wisconsin can raise unless the district holds a referendum asking voters to exceed the cap. Importantly, Wisconsin law requires districts to hold separate referenda for operational and capital expenditures, which allows for estimating their independent effects. Leveraging close elections in a dynamic regression discontinuity framework, I find that increases in operational spending have substantial positive effects on test scores, dropout rates, and postsecondary enrollment, but additional capital expenditures have little impact.

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Published In

American Economic Journal: Economic Policy

DOI

EISSN

1945-774X

ISSN

1945-7731

Publication Date

February 1, 2022

Volume

14

Issue

1

Related Subject Headings

  • 3801 Applied economics
  • 3502 Banking, finance and investment
  • 1402 Applied Economics
 

Citation

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Baron, E. J. (2022). School Spending and Student Outcomes: Evidence from Revenue Limit Elections in Wisconsin†. American Economic Journal: Economic Policy, 14(1). https://doi.org/10.1257/pol.20200226
Baron, E. J. “School Spending and Student Outcomes: Evidence from Revenue Limit Elections in Wisconsin†.” American Economic Journal: Economic Policy 14, no. 1 (February 1, 2022). https://doi.org/10.1257/pol.20200226.
Baron EJ. School Spending and Student Outcomes: Evidence from Revenue Limit Elections in Wisconsin†. American Economic Journal: Economic Policy. 2022 Feb 1;14(1).
Baron, E. J. “School Spending and Student Outcomes: Evidence from Revenue Limit Elections in Wisconsin†.” American Economic Journal: Economic Policy, vol. 14, no. 1, Feb. 2022. Scopus, doi:10.1257/pol.20200226.
Baron EJ. School Spending and Student Outcomes: Evidence from Revenue Limit Elections in Wisconsin†. American Economic Journal: Economic Policy. 2022 Feb 1;14(1).

Published In

American Economic Journal: Economic Policy

DOI

EISSN

1945-774X

ISSN

1945-7731

Publication Date

February 1, 2022

Volume

14

Issue

1

Related Subject Headings

  • 3801 Applied economics
  • 3502 Banking, finance and investment
  • 1402 Applied Economics