RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 The Effects of Local Industrial Pollution on Students and Schools
JF Journal of Human Resources
JO J Hum Resour
FD University of Wisconsin Press
SP 0518-9511R2
DO 10.3368/jhr.56.2.0518-9511R2
A1 Claudia L. Persico
A1 Joanna Venator
YR 2019
UL http://jhr.uwpress.org/content/early/2019/08/02/jhr.56.2.0518-9511R2.abstract
AB Using detailed education data between 1996-2012 from the state of Florida, we examine whether pollution from local Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) sites affects student achievement and high stakes accountability school rankings. Using event study and difference-in-differences designs, we compare students attending schools within one mile of a TRI site that opens or closes to students attending schools between one and two miles away. We find that being exposed to air pollution is associated with 0.024 of standard deviation lower test scores, increased likelihood of suspension from school, and increased likelihood that a school’s overall high stakes accountability ranking will drop.