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Towards Evidence-Based School Accountability in Sweden

Author

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  • Norgren, Axel

    (Institute for Analytical Sociology)

Abstract

School accountability is a common feature of many educational systems, with public school inspections common in European countries. Yet, there is scarce empirical evidence on the inspectorate model of school accountability. This article evaluates the effects of Swedish school inspections on pupils’ achievement using a double-robust difference-in-difference model. The results show overall negligible effects of inspection but with indications of effects heterogeneity over time. Such short- long-term outcomes should be considered in future research and educational policy when it comes to school accountability.

Suggested Citation

  • Norgren, Axel, 2024. "Towards Evidence-Based School Accountability in Sweden," Working Papers 24/2, Stockholm School of Economics, Center for Educational Leadership and Excellence.
    • Handle: RePEc:hhb:hastel:2024_002
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Sant’Anna, Pedro H.C. & Zhao, Jun, 2020. "Doubly robust difference-in-differences estimators," Journal of Econometrics, Elsevier, vol. 219(1), pages 101-122.
    2. Brian Jacob, 2017. "The Changing Federal Role In School Accountability," Journal of Policy Analysis and Management, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 36(2), pages 469-477, March.
    3. Alberto Abadie & Susan Athey & Guido W Imbens & Jeffrey M Wooldridge, 2023. "When Should You Adjust Standard Errors for Clustering?," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, President and Fellows of Harvard College, vol. 138(1), pages 1-35.
    4. Iftikhar Hussain, 2015. "Subjective Performance Evaluation in the Public Sector: Evidence from School Inspections," Journal of Human Resources, University of Wisconsin Press, vol. 50(1), pages 189-221.
    5. Eric A. Hanushek & Margaret E. Raymond, 2005. "Does school accountability lead to improved student performance?," Journal of Policy Analysis and Management, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 24(2), pages 297-327.
    6. McElroy, Katherine, 2023. "Does test-based accountability improve more than just test scores?," Economics of Education Review, Elsevier, vol. 94(C).
    7. Callaway, Brantly & Sant’Anna, Pedro H.C., 2021. "Difference-in-Differences with multiple time periods," Journal of Econometrics, Elsevier, vol. 225(2), pages 200-230.
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