Teacher Quality and Dropout Outcomes in a Large, Urban School District

47 Pages Posted: 31 Aug 2008

See all articles by Cory Koedel

Cory Koedel

University of Missouri - Economics

Date Written: August 29, 2008

Abstract

Recent research shows that variation in teacher quality has large effects on student performance. However, this research is based entirely on student test scores. Focusing on high-school math teachers, this paper evaluates teacher quality in terms of another educational outcome of great interest - graduation. I use a unique instrumental variables approach to identify teacher effects and find that differences in teacher quality have large effects on graduation outcomes. Because teacher effects on graduation outcomes will be more pronounced for students who are on the graduation margin, the results imply an avenue through which high-quality teachers are more productive with disadvantaged students.

Keywords: teacher quality, dropouts, teacher peformance, economics of education

JEL Classification: I20, I21

Suggested Citation

Koedel, Cory, Teacher Quality and Dropout Outcomes in a Large, Urban School District (August 29, 2008). Journal of Urban Economics, Forthcoming, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1260997

Cory Koedel (Contact Author)

University of Missouri - Economics ( email )

118 Professional Building
Columbia, MO 65211
United States

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