A Method for Disentangling Multiple Treatments from a Regression Discontinuity Design

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Gilraine, Michael
• 署名单位: New York University
• 刊物名称: JOURNAL OF LABOR ECONOMICS
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0734-306X
• DOI: 10.1086/706740
• 发表日期: 2020
• 页码: 1267-1311
• 关键词: high-poverty schools; class size; student-achievement; Education production; maimonides rule; IMPACT; teachers; incentives; PROGRAMS; outcomes

摘要

In many settings, a policy discontinuity comprises several treatments that cannot be separately identified using a standard regression discontinuity design. I propose a method for identifying distinct treatment components from a single discontinuity by exploiting the asymmetry between entities entering versus exiting treatment. Using data from New York City for 2009-13, I apply my strategy to the discontinuity associated with the introduction of class size caps-a widespread approach for reducing class sizes. I find that class size reductions increase student achievement, although these gains are counteracted by a newly hired teacher effect. The method has broad potential applicability.