RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Do higher salaries yield better teachers and better student outcomes?
JF Journal of Human Resources
JO J Hum Resour
FD University of Wisconsin Press
DO 10.3368/jhr.55.4.0717-8911R3
A1 Cabrera, José María
A1 Webbink, Dinand
YR 2019
UL http://jhr.uwpress.org/content/early/2019/04/04/jhr.55.4.0717-8911R3.abstract
AB We study the effects of a policy aimed at attracting more experienced and better qualified teachers in primary schools in disadvantaged neighborhoods in Uruguay. Teachers in these schools could earn higher salaries, and more experienced teachers are given priority in choosing teaching positions. Eligibility for the program was based on a poverty index with a cutoff rule. Estimates from regression discontinuity models show that the policy successfully led to ‘hiring experience from other schools’, and also increased tenure. Overall, the effect on student outcomes was small. We rationalize this result by showing that the program may have increased experience in ways that are not strongly associated with improved student outcomes. Consistent with this, we do find achievement gains for students in schools that saw a reduction in the share of very inexperienced teachers. The results underscore that increases in teacher pay may only improve student outcomes if it increases those teacher characteristics that actually improve student outcomes.