AEA Papers and Proceedings
ISSN 2574-0768 (Print) | ISSN 2574-0776 (Online)
In Search of Dynamic Complementarities between Early and Later Education: Evidence from North Carolina's Pre-K and K–12 School Funding Reforms
AEA Papers and Proceedings
vol. 114,
May 2024
(pp. 474–79)
Abstract
We extend Johnson and Jackson's (2019) seminal paper on dynamic complementarities between early and late educational opportunities using modern-day programs in North Carolina. We exploit exogenous variation in the allocations made to counties for state pre-K funding (NC Pre-K) and K–12 funding allocations made to districts resulting from a court-ordered school funding reform known as the Disadvantaged Student Supplemental Fund (DSSF)—both during the mid–2000s. We find that DSSF-induced increases in K–12 per pupil expenditures had null or possibly negative impacts on students' fifth grade academic achievement. We also find no evidence of complementarities with NC Pre-K investments.Citation
Jenkins, Jade M., Tyler W. Watts, and Kenneth A. Dodge. 2024. "In Search of Dynamic Complementarities between Early and Later Education: Evidence from North Carolina's Pre-K and K–12 School Funding Reforms." AEA Papers and Proceedings, 114: 474–79. DOI: 10.1257/pandp.20241080Additional Materials
JEL Classification
- H75 State and Local Government: Health; Education; Welfare; Public Pensions
- I21 Analysis of Education
- I22 Educational Finance; Financial Aid
- I26 Returns to Education
- I28 Education: Government Policy