What Schools Do Families Want (and Why)? Evidence on Revealed Preferences From New Orleans

Prior research suggests that families prefer schools with higher test scores, shorter distances from home, and certain student demographics. We build on this using data from New Orleans, a context well suited to identification of parent preferences because of its deferred acceptance algorithm and ex...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Educational evaluation and policy analysis 2023-09, Vol.45 (3), p.496-519
Main Authors: Harris, Douglas N., Larsen, Matthew F.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
After School Programs
Child Care
Data
Economics
Evidence
Extracurricular Activities
Family Income
Family school relationship
Heterogeneity
Institutional Characteristics
Parent Attitudes
Parents & parenting
Preferences
School Choice
School Effectiveness
Schools
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Summary:Prior research suggests that families prefer schools with higher test scores, shorter distances from home, and certain student demographics. We build on this using data from New Orleans, a context well suited to identification of parent preferences because of its deferred acceptance algorithm and extensive, standardized, and broadly accessible school information. This allows us to study revealed preferences for a richer set of characteristics. We find that families prefer schools with higher school value-added, more extracurricular activities, and after-school childcare. We also find heterogeneity by family income that is more consistent with income constraints than preference heterogeneity. Finally, we show how methodology and data shape the results.
ISSN:0162-3737
1935-1062
DOI:10.3102/01623737221134528