Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/36166 
Year of Publication: 
2009
Series/Report no.: 
IZA Discussion Papers No. 4641
Publisher: 
Institute for the Study of Labor (IZA), Bonn
Abstract: 
Facing substantial financial pressure, many districts close schools in order to preserve solvency and improve student outcomes. Using a new longitudinal data set on all non-Cook County Illinois schools, we examine the determinants of high school closure decisions from 1991 through 2005. Our dataset combines information from a wide variety of sources, including the Illinois State Board of Education, the Census Bureau, the Illinois Department of Revenue, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Prior studies in this area typically use cross-sectional data, short panels, or case-studies. Schools that close have lower enrollments, are located in more rural areas, and have higher per-pupil expenditures. Enrollments and fiscal resources are indeed the most important determinants of school closures. Neither math and reading test scores nor the sociodemographics of the students have a significant impact on high school closure decisions.
Subjects: 
Economics of education
education finance
human capital
secondary education
JEL: 
I22
I21
J24
Document Type: 
Working Paper

Files in This Item:
File
Size
275.75 kB





Items in EconStor are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.