Unintended Consequences: The Effect of School Accountability on Teacher Supply

Abstract

Enrollment in teacher preparation programs in the U.S. has decreased dramatically over the last few years. However, the factors behind this decline are still largely unknown. In this paper, we examine whether the introduction of school accountability systems has discouraged individuals from entering the teaching profession. Using data from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System, combined with state-level data from the Current Population Survey, we examine the effect of the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) on both enrollment and degrees awarded in education majors. We employ both difference-in-differences and comparative interrupted time-series research designs. Our results suggest that the NCLB has had no effect on enrollment in education majors. However, we find some evidence that the NCLB has reduced the percentage of education degrees awarded by postsecondary institutions.

Keywords: NCLB, School Accountability, Teacher Supply, Education Majors

JEL Classification: I10, I20, I21, I23, I28, J2, J22