Stéphane Lavertu
For-profit milk in nonprofit cartons? The case of nonprofit charter schools subcontracting with for-profit education management organizations
Topics: School ChoiceTags: Charter schools, EquityThere is growing concern that some nonprofit public service providers may be nonprofit in name but not in fact. We consider this concern in the context of nonprofit charter schools, which sometimes subcontract their daily operations to for-profit management organizations. We use unique data from… more →
Rent-Seeking through Collective Bargaining: Teachers Unions and Education Production
We explore how teachers unions affect education production by comparing outcomes between districts allocating new tax revenue amidst collective bargaining negotiations and districts allocating tax revenue well before. Districts facing union pressure increase teacher salaries and benefits, spend… more →
How Does Minority Political Representation Affect School District Administration and Student Outcomes?
Topics: Policy, Politics, and GovernanceWe employ a regression discontinuity design leveraging close school board elections to investigate how the racial and ethnic composition of California school boards affects school district administration and student achievement. We find some evidence that increases in minority representation… more →
The Democratic Deficit in U.S. Education Governance
Topics: Policy, Politics, and GovernanceTags: School districtsPolitical scientists have largely overlooked the democratic challenges inherent in the governance of U.S. public education—despite profound implications for educational delivery and, ultimately, social mobility and economic growth. In this study, we consider whether the interests of adult voters… more →
Government Privatization and Political Participation: The Case of Charter Schools
Topics: Policy, Politics, and GovernanceGovernments around the world have privatized public services in the name of efficiency and citizen empowerment, but some argue that privatization could also affect citizen participation in democratic governance. We explore this possibility by estimating the impact of charter schools (which are… more →
School District Operational Spending and Student Outcomes: Evidence from Tax Elections in Seven States
Tags: School districts, AssessmentWe use close tax elections to estimate the impact of school district funding increases on operational spending and student outcomes across seven states. Districts with passing levies directed new revenue toward support services and instructor salaries but did not increase teacher staffing levels… more →