Journal of Labor Economics Vol. 38 No. 4 2020
A Method for Disentangling Multiple Treatments from a Regression Discontinuity Design
Abstract
In many settings, a policy discontinuity comprises several treatments that cannot be separately identified using a standard regression discontinuity design. I propose a method for identifying distinct treatment components from a single discontinuity by exploiting the asymmetry between entities entering versus exiting treatment. Using data from New York City for 2009–13, I apply my strategy to the discontinuity associated with the introduction of class size caps—a widespread approach for reducing class sizes. I find that class size reductions increase student achievement, although these gains are counteracted by a newly hired teacher effect. The method has broad potential applicability.
- DOI
- 10.1086/706740
- Volume
- 38
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 1267-1311
- Language
- en
- Sources
- openalex crossref