RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 An Economic Approach to Generalizing Findings from Regression-Discontinuity Designs JF Journal of Human Resources JO J Hum Resour FD University of Wisconsin Press SP 1115-7497R2 DO 10.3368/jhr.54.4.1115.7497R2 A1 Nirav Mehta YR 2018 UL http://jhr.uwpress.org/content/early/2018/08/01/jhr.54.4.1115.7497R2.abstract AB Regression-discontinuity (RD) designs estimate treatment effects only around a cutoff. This paper shows what can be learned about average treatment effects for the treated (ATT), untreated (ATUT), and population (ATE) if the cutoff was chosen to maximize the net gain from treatment. Without capacity constraints, the RD estimate bounds the ATT from below and the ATUT from above, implying bounds for the ATE, and optimality of the cutoff rules out constant treatment effects. Bounds are typically looser if the capacity constraint binds. Testable implications of cutoff optimality are derived. The results are demonstrated using previous RD studies.