The Impact of Family Income on Child Achievement: Evidence from the Earned Income Tax Credit

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Dahl, Gordon B.; Lochner, Lance
• 署名单位: University of California System; University of California San Diego; Western University (University of Western Ontario)
• 刊物名称: AMERICAN ECONOMIC REVIEW
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0002-8282
• DOI: 10.1257/aer.102.5.1927
• 发表日期: 2012
• 页码: 1927-1956
• 关键词: BEHAVIORAL-RESPONSES; REFORM

摘要

Using an instrumental variables strategy, we estimate the causal effect of income on children's math and reading achievement. Our identification derives from the large, nonlinear changes in the Earned Income Tax Credit. The largest of these changes increased family income by as much as 20 percent, or approximately $2,100, between 1993 and 1997. Our baseline estimates imply that a $1,000 increase in income raises combined math and reading test scores by 6 percent of a standard deviation in the short run. Test gains are larger for children from disadvantaged families and robust to a variety of alternative specifications. (JEL H24, H31, I21, I38, J13)