School decentralization: Helping the good get better, but leaving the poor behind

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Galiani, Sebastian; Gertler, Paul; Schargrodsky, Ernesto
• 署名单位: Universidad Torcuato Di Tella; Washington University (WUSTL); University of California System; University of California Berkeley; National Bureau of Economic Research
• 刊物名称: JOURNAL OF PUBLIC ECONOMICS
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0047-2727
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jpubeco.2008.05.004
• 发表日期: 2008
• 页码: 2106-2120
• 关键词: decentralization; education; INEQUALITY

摘要

The decentralization of public services is a major feature of institutional innovation. The main argument in support of decentralization is that it brings decisions closer to the people, thereby alleviating information asymmetries and improving accountability. However, decentralization can also degrade service provision in poor communities that lack the ability to voice and defend their preferences. In this paper, we analyze the average and distributional effects of school decentralization on educational quality in Argentina. We find that decentralization had an overall positive impact on student test scores. The decentralization gains, however, did not reach the poor. Thus, although bringing decisions closer to the people may help the good get better, the already disadvantaged may not receive these benefits. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.