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The Virtues and Vices of School District Consolidation: Evidence from U.S. Cities, 1880-1912

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  • Sun Go

    (Chung-Ang University, Republic of Korea)

Abstract

Beginning in the late nineteenth century, many small urban school districts were consolidated into large citywide school districts. This study assembles new city-level school finance data from the 1880 and 1912 federal censuses and historical school reports to examine the effects of consolidation on the provision of local public schooling. Using a difference-in-differences framework, the analysis yields two main findings. First, consolidation generated economies of scale in the provision of public education. Second, consolidation weakened local residents’ willingness to pay taxes for city schools, which in turn constrained the growth of public school financing following consolidation.

Suggested Citation

  • Sun Go, 2025. "The Virtues and Vices of School District Consolidation: Evidence from U.S. Cities, 1880-1912," Journal of Economic Development, The Economic Research Institute, Chung-Ang University, vol. 50(4), pages 1-24, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:ris:jecdev:021997
    DOI: 10.35866/caujed.2025.50.4.001
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    JEL classification:

    • N31 - Economic History - - Labor and Consumers, Demography, Education, Health, Welfare, Income, Wealth, Religion, and Philanthropy - - - U.S.; Canada: Pre-1913
    • I22 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Educational Finance; Financial Aid
    • O18 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Urban, Rural, Regional, and Transportation Analysis; Housing; Infrastructure

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