How Do Hurricanes Impact Achievement in School? A Caribbean Perspective
62 Pages Posted: 6 Sep 2016
Abstract
This study examines whether hurricanes have any impact on performance in standardized examinations. The analysis uses a panel of thirteen Caribbean countries and over 800 schools for the period 1993 through 2010. In particular, the effect on subjects in the humanities and sciences are examined. A generalized difference-in-difference technique is utilized to study the relationship at the school, parish, year and country level. The results show a negative and significant effect on performance in the sciences if hurricanes strike when school is in session and a positive or no effect when school is not in session. In addition, subjects in the humanities remain unaffected.
Keywords: human capital, rate of return, hurricanes
JEL Classification: I2, Q54
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