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Open Enrolment and Student Achievement

Author

Listed:
  • Friesen, Jane

    (Simon Fraser University)

  • Harris, Benjamin Cerf

    (U.S. Census Bureau)

  • Woodcock, Simon D.

    (Simon Fraser University)

Abstract

We investigate the effects of public school open enrolment, which allows students to enroll in any public school with available space, on fourth grade test scores. We find a small, positive effect on the average student; this benefit appears to stem from increased competition among schools, rather than directly through expanded choice opportunities. Among students whose catchment school is locally top-ranked according to test scores, greater choice is of no direct benefit; however, students whose catchment school is locally lowest-ranked earn higher scores when they have access to better local schools. Students in both groups benefit from increased school competition.

Suggested Citation

  • Friesen, Jane & Harris, Benjamin Cerf & Woodcock, Simon D., 2013. "Open Enrolment and Student Achievement," IZA Discussion Papers 7642, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp7642
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    Cited by:

    1. Cohn, Ricardo Meilman, 2020. "Effects of public-school choice on private schools: Evidence from open enrollment reform," CLEF Working Paper Series 23, Canadian Labour Economics Forum (CLEF), University of Waterloo.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    open enrolment; school choice; school competition;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I21 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Analysis of Education
    • I28 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Government Policy

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