The Effects of Local Industrial Pollution on Students and Schools

55 Pages Posted: 7 Aug 2018 Last revised: 21 Oct 2019

See all articles by Claudia Persico

Claudia Persico

American University

Joanna Venator

University of Wisconsin - Madison - Department of Economics

Date Written: May 24, 2018

Abstract

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.

Keywords: pollution, child health, education

JEL Classification: I14, I24, I31, Q53

Suggested Citation

Persico, Claudia and Venator, Joanna, The Effects of Local Industrial Pollution on Students and Schools (May 24, 2018). American University School of Public Affairs Research Paper, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3218789 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3218789

Claudia Persico (Contact Author)

American University ( email )

School of Public Affairs
Kerwin Hall, 4400 Massachusetts Ave NW
Washington, DC 20016
United States

Joanna Venator

University of Wisconsin - Madison - Department of Economics ( email )

William H. Sewell Social Science Building
1180 Observatory Drive
Madison, WI 53706-1393
United States

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