More Choice, Less Crime

26 Pages Posted: 28 Dec 2007

See all articles by Angela K. Dills

Angela K. Dills

Western Carolina University

Rey Hernández-Julián

Metropolitan State College of Denver

Date Written: December 27, 2007

Abstract

Previous research debates whether public school (Tiebout) choice improves students' academic outcomes, but there is little examination of its effects on non-academic outcomes. We use data from a nationally representative sample of high school students, a previously developed public school choice measure, and metropolitan-level data on teenage arrest rates to examine how public school choice affects students' propensity to be arrested or to join a gang. Adolescents in metropolitan areas with more public school choice are less likely to be associated with criminal activity, suggesting that the benefits of public school choice extend outside of the classroom.

Keywords: juvenile crime, school choice

JEL Classification: K4, H52, I22

Suggested Citation

Dills, Angela K. and Hernandez-Julian, Rey, More Choice, Less Crime (December 27, 2007). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1078906 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.1078906

Angela K. Dills (Contact Author)

Western Carolina University ( email )

Cullowhee, NC 28723
United States
8282273329 (Phone)

HOME PAGE: http://faculty.wcu.edu/akdills

Rey Hernandez-Julian

Metropolitan State College of Denver ( email )

Student Success Building
890 Auraria Pkwy #310
Denver, CO 80217
United States

Do you have negative results from your research you’d like to share?

Paper statistics

Downloads
109
Abstract Views
1,136
Rank
450,735
PlumX Metrics