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The Long-Run Impacts of Special Education

Author

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  • Briana Ballis
  • Katelyn Heath

Abstract

Over 13 percent of US students participate in special education (SE) programs annually, at a cost of $40 billion. However, due to selection issues the effect of SE placements remains unclear. This paper uses administrative data from Texas to examine the long-run effect of reducing SE access. Our research design exploits variation in SE placement driven by a unique state policy that required school districts to reduce SE caseloads to 8.5 percent. This policy led to sharp reductions in SE enrollment. These reductions generated significant reductions in educational attainment, suggesting that marginal participants experience long-run benefits from SE services.

Suggested Citation

  • Briana Ballis & Katelyn Heath, 2021. "The Long-Run Impacts of Special Education," American Economic Journal: Economic Policy, American Economic Association, vol. 13(4), pages 72-111, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:aea:aejpol:v:13:y:2021:i:4:p:72-111
    DOI: 10.1257/pol.20190603
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Alina Kovalenko, 2023. "Natural Resource Booms, Human Capital, and Earnings: Evidence from Linked Education and Employment Records," American Economic Journal: Applied Economics, American Economic Association, vol. 15(2), pages 184-217, April.
    2. Bryant G. Hopkins & Katharine O. Strunk & Scott A. Imberman & Adrea J. Truckenmiller & Matthew Guzman & Marisa H. Fisher, 2023. "Trends in Special Education Identification During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Evidence from Michigan," NBER Working Papers 31261, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    3. David N. Figlio & Krzysztof Karbownik & Umut Özek, 2023. "Sibling Spillovers May Enhance the Efficacy of Targeted School Policies," NBER Working Papers 31406, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.

    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • H75 - Public Economics - - State and Local Government; Intergovernmental Relations - - - State and Local Government: Health, Education, and Welfare
    • I21 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Analysis of Education
    • I28 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Government Policy
    • J13 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Fertility; Family Planning; Child Care; Children; Youth
    • J14 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of the Elderly; Economics of the Handicapped; Non-Labor Market Discrimination

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