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Getting beneath the Veil of Effective Schools: Evidence from New York City

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  • Will Dobbie
  • Roland G. Fryer Jr.

Abstract

In this paper, we collect data on the inner-workings of 39 charter schools and correlate these data with school effectiveness. We find that traditionally collected input measures—class size, per-pupil expenditure, teacher certification, and teacher training—are not correlated with school effectiveness. In stark contrast, we show that an index of five policies suggested by qualitative research—frequent teacher feedback, the use of data to guide instruction, high-dosage tutoring, increased instructional time, and high expectations— explains approximately 45 percent of the variation in school effectiveness. The same index provides similar results in a separate sample of charter schools.

Suggested Citation

  • Will Dobbie & Roland G. Fryer Jr., 2013. "Getting beneath the Veil of Effective Schools: Evidence from New York City," American Economic Journal: Applied Economics, American Economic Association, vol. 5(4), pages 28-60, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:aea:aejapp:v:5:y:2013:i:4:p:28-60
    Note: DOI: 10.1257/app.5.4.28
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    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

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    1. Getting beneath the Veil of Effective Schools: Evidence from New York City (American Economic Journal: Applied Economics 2013) in ReplicationWiki

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