ARE EDUCATIONAL VOUCHERS ONLY REDISTRIBUTIVE?

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Bettinger, Eric; Kremer, Michael; Saavedra, Juan E.
• 署名单位: Stanford University; Harvard University; National Bureau of Economic Research
• 刊物名称: ECONOMIC JOURNAL
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0013-0133
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1468-0297.2010.02374.x
• 发表日期: 2010
• 页码: F204-F228
• 关键词: School choice; achievement; PRIVATE

摘要

It is unclear if vouchers increase educational productivity or are purely redistributive, benefiting recipients by giving them access to more desirable peers at others' expense. To examine this, we study an educational voucher programme in Colombia which allocated vouchers by lottery. Among voucher applicants to vocational schools, lottery winners were less likely to attend academic secondary schools and thus had peers with less desirable observable characteristics. Despite this, lottery winners had better educational outcomes. In this population, vouchers improved educational outcomes through channels beyond redistribution of desirable peers. We discuss potential channels which may explain the observed effects.