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Match Effects and the Gains from Alternative Job Assignments: Evidence from a Teacher Labor Market

Author

Listed:
  • Laverde, Mariana

    (Boston College)

  • Mykerezi, Elton

    (University of Minnesota)

  • Sojourner, Aaron

    (Upjohn Institute for Employment Research)

  • Sood, Aradhya

    (University of Toronto)

Abstract

This paper studies the relative importance of teacher-student match effects and general teacher effectiveness in producing student learning, and quantifies gains from alternative teacher assignments. We estimate a framework that separates these components, allowing match quality to vary with observable student characteristics and unobservable teacher-school factors. Using more than a decade of administrative data from a large urban district, we address endogenous sorting with quasi-random assignment variation induced by differences in driving time between teachers and schools. Match effects are similar in magnitude to general effectiveness. Teacher-acceptable reassignments can raise average test scores by about 0.13 standard deviations.

Suggested Citation

  • Laverde, Mariana & Mykerezi, Elton & Sojourner, Aaron & Sood, Aradhya, 2026. "Match Effects and the Gains from Alternative Job Assignments: Evidence from a Teacher Labor Market," IZA Discussion Papers 18397, IZA Network @ LISER.
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp18397
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • I21 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Analysis of Education
    • J45 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Particular Labor Markets - - - Public Sector Labor Markets
    • I24 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Education and Inequality
    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity

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