Priceless Benefits: Effects of School Spending on Child Mortality. EdWorkingPaper No. 24-1008
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| Title: | Priceless Benefits: Effects of School Spending on Child Mortality. EdWorkingPaper No. 24-1008 |
|---|---|
| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Emily Rauscher, Greer Mellon, Susanna Loeb, Annenberg Institute for School Reform at Brown University |
| Source: | Annenberg Institute for School Reform at Brown University. 2024. |
| Availability: | Annenberg Institute for School Reform at Brown University. Brown University Box 1985, Providence, RI 02912. Tel: 401-863-7990; Fax: 401-863-1290; e-mail: AISR_Info@brown.edu; Web site: http://www.annenberginstitute.org |
| Peer Reviewed: | N |
| Page Count: | 54 |
| Publication Date: | 2024 |
| Document Type: | Reports - Research |
| Descriptors: | School Taxes, Expenditure per Student, Mortality Rate, Youth, Youth Problems, At Risk Students, Suicide, Accident Prevention, School Accidents, Accidents, Child Safety, Teacher Persistence, Teacher Salaries, Learner Engagement |
| Geographic Terms: | Arizona, California, Louisiana, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, Wisconsin |
| Abstract: | The academic and economic benefits of school spending are well-established, but focusing on these outcomes may underestimate the full social benefits of school spending. Recent increases in U.S. child mortality are driven by injuries and raise questions about what types of social investments could reduce child deaths. We use close school district tax elections and negative binomial regression models to estimate effects of a quasi-random increase in school spending on county child mortality. We find consistent evidence that increased school spending from passing a tax election reduces child mortality. Districts that narrowly passed a proposed tax increase spent an additional $243 per pupil, mostly on instruction and salaries, and had 4% lower child mortality after spending increased (6-10 years after the election). This increased spending also reduced child deaths of despair (due to drugs, alcohol, or suicide) by 5% and child deaths due to accidents or motor vehicle accidents by 7%. Estimates predicting potential mechanisms suggest that lower child mortality could partly reflect increases in the number of teachers and counselors, higher teacher salaries, and improved student engagement. [Funding for this report was provided by the Gilead Foundation Creating Possible Fund and the Population Studies and Training Center at Brown University.] |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| Entry Date: | 2024 |
| Accession Number: | ED658265 |
| Database: | ERIC |
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