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The effect of technology funding on school-level student proficiency

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  • Bass, Brittany

Abstract

This study presents new evidence on the effect of technology funding on school-level student proficiency. I exploit exogenous variation in school-level technology funding using the California Education Technology K-12 Voucher Program. The program provided eligible schools with technology vouchers to purchase qualifying hardware and software products and services. Using a regression discontinuity difference-in-difference design and data on voucher eligibility, voucher use, and school-level student proficiency, I find that voucher eligibility had no significant impact on school-level student proficiency, while voucher use had positive impacts on school-level student proficiency. The voucher use results are driven entirely by schools using the voucher funds for technology resources, but reallocating dollars initially earmarked for technology to other school inputs.

Suggested Citation

  • Bass, Brittany, 2021. "The effect of technology funding on school-level student proficiency," Economics of Education Review, Elsevier, vol. 84(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecoedu:v:84:y:2021:i:c:s0272775721000704
    DOI: 10.1016/j.econedurev.2021.102151
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    Cited by:

    1. Acton, Riley & Orr, Cody & Rogers, Salem, 2023. "Returns to School Spending in Rural America: Evidence from Wisconsin's Sparsity Aid Program," IZA Discussion Papers 15915, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    2. Hideo Akabayashi & Shimpei Taguchi & Mirka Zvedelikova, 2023. "School ICT resources, teachers, and online education: Evidence from school closures in Japan during the COVID-19 pandemic," ISER Discussion Paper 1207, Institute of Social and Economic Research, Osaka University.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Technology funding; Resource allocations; Student achievement; School spending;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I20 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - General
    • I22 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Educational Finance; Financial Aid
    • I28 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Government Policy

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