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Full-Text Articles in Social and Behavioral Sciences

Towering Intellects? Sizing Up The Relationship Between Height And Academic Success, Stephanie Coffey, Amy Ellen Schwartz Dec 2021

Towering Intellects? Sizing Up The Relationship Between Height And Academic Success, Stephanie Coffey, Amy Ellen Schwartz

Center for Policy Research

Do tall students do better in school? While a robust literature documents higher earnings among taller people, we know little about the potential academic origins of the height earnings gradient. In this paper, we use unique student-level longitudinal data from New York City (NYC) to examine the link between height and academic outcomes, shedding light on underlying mechanisms. The centerpiece of our empirical work is a regression linking academic outcomes to height, measured as a z-score normalized to same grade/sex peers within schools. We estimate a meaningful height gradient for both boys and girls in ELA and math achievement in …


Using Pupil Transportation Data To Explore Educational Inequities And Outcomes: A Case Study From New York City, Sarah Cordes, Samantha Trajkovski, Christopher Rick, Meryle Weinstein, Amy Ellen Schwartz Dec 2021

Using Pupil Transportation Data To Explore Educational Inequities And Outcomes: A Case Study From New York City, Sarah Cordes, Samantha Trajkovski, Christopher Rick, Meryle Weinstein, Amy Ellen Schwartz

Center for Policy Research

This article explores how researchers can use pupil transportation data to explore key questions about the role of transportation in educational access and equity, such as how students get to school and the effect of transportation on student outcomes. We first describe different sources of transportation data that are available to researchers, provide a brief review of relevant literature, and discuss potential sources of measurement error in pupil transportation data. Next, we use administrative data from New York City to illustrate how pupil transportation data can be used to understand transportation eligibility and assignment as well as to describe the …


What Makes A Classmate A Peer? Examining Which Peers Matter In Nyc Elementary Schools, William C. Horrace, Hyunseok Jung, Jonathan L. Pressler, Amy Ellen Schwartz Nov 2021

What Makes A Classmate A Peer? Examining Which Peers Matter In Nyc Elementary Schools, William C. Horrace, Hyunseok Jung, Jonathan L. Pressler, Amy Ellen Schwartz

Center for Policy Research

Generalizing the group interaction model of Lee (2007), we identify and estimate the effects of student level social spillovers on standardized test performance in New York City (NYC) elementary schools. We leverage student demographic data to construct within-classroom social networks based on shared student characteristics, such as a gender or ethnicity. Rather than aggregate shared characteristics into a single network matrix, we specify additively separate network matrices for each shared characteristic and estimate city-wide peer effects for each one. Conditional on being in the same classroom, we find that the most important student peer effects are shared ethnicity, gender, and …


Advancing Veteran Entrepreneurship Through Education, Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University Jan 2021

Advancing Veteran Entrepreneurship Through Education, Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

This presentation provides an overview of how veteran entrepreneurship can be bolstered by education.


Technical Efficiency Of Public Middle Schools In New York City, William C. Horrace, Michah W. Rothbart, Yi Yang Dec 2020

Technical Efficiency Of Public Middle Schools In New York City, William C. Horrace, Michah W. Rothbart, Yi Yang

Center for Policy Research

Using panel data and a “true” fixed effect stochastic frontier model, we estimate persistent and transient technical inefficiency in mathematics (Math) and English Language Arts (ELA) test score gains in NYC public middle schools from 2014 to 2016. We compare several measures of transient technical inefficiency and show that around 58% of NYC middle schools are efficient in Math gains, while 16% are efficient in ELA gains. Multivariate inference techniques are used to determine subsets of efficient schools, providing actionable decision rules to help policymakers target resources and incentives.


“Right To Work” And Life Or Death For Georgia Teachers, Austin Mcneill Brown Jul 2020

“Right To Work” And Life Or Death For Georgia Teachers, Austin Mcneill Brown

Population Health Research Brief Series

Georgia is a “right to work” state, in which teachers can be fired or have their state license revoked if they strike or utilize collective bargaining. This leaves few legal options for teachers to challenge the state mandate to reopen without adequate preparation.


Genetic Risks, Adolescent Health And Schooling Attainment, Vikesh Amin, Jere R. Behrman, Jason M. Fletcher, Carlos A. Flores, Alfonso Flores-Lagunes, Hans-Peter Kohler Jul 2020

Genetic Risks, Adolescent Health And Schooling Attainment, Vikesh Amin, Jere R. Behrman, Jason M. Fletcher, Carlos A. Flores, Alfonso Flores-Lagunes, Hans-Peter Kohler

Center for Policy Research

We provide new evidence on the effect of adolescent health behaviors/outcomes (obesity, depression, smoking, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)) on schooling attainment using the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health. We take two different approaches to deal with omitted variable bias and reverse causality. Our first approach attends to the issue of reverse causality by using health polygenic scores (PGSs) as proxies for actual adolescent health. Second, we estimate the effect of adolescent health using sibling fixed-effects models that control for unmeasured genetic and family factors shared by siblings. We use the PGSs as additional controls in …


Research Brief: "Training And Educational Development For “Vetrepreneurs"", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University Jul 2017

Research Brief: "Training And Educational Development For “Vetrepreneurs"", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

This research discusses the types of programs available to veterans, and presents a framework for evaluating the performance of veteran entrepreneurship programs. In practice, veteran entrepreneurs should continue taking advantage of available programs and veteran entrepreneurship program directors, and managers should consider reviewing the eight outcomes provided by the National Council for Graduate Entrepreneurship (NCGE) in the UK. In policy, the VA might continue supporting veteran-owned businesses through its many programs and services, and the SBA might continue offering courses, training, and funding to support veteran entrepreneurs. Suggestions for future research include evaluating what learning outcomes veterans should develop after …


Research Brief: "Out From The Shadows: Female Student Veterans And Help-Seeking", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University Jan 2016

Research Brief: "Out From The Shadows: Female Student Veterans And Help-Seeking", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

This study explored what happened when female veterans brought three military-cultural contexts (responsibility, worth, and pride) into their transition to civilian life and help-seeking attitudes in college. In practice, student veterans exhibiting components of military culture should use these military cultural components to their benefit, and student veterans struggling to adjust to the type of thinking often required of college students should feel comfortable seeking support at their university student veteran center. In policy, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) might continue offering their campus toolkit, which has been found to be a great resource for many IHEs, offering them …


Research Brief: "Partnering With Communities To Address The Mental Health Needs Of Rural Veterans", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University May 2013

Research Brief: "Partnering With Communities To Address The Mental Health Needs Of Rural Veterans", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

This research focuses on veterans in rural communities who have less access to mental health providers. The Yellow Ribbon Task Force program promoted and encouraged engagement in mental health care for veterans in rural communities, although future policies should enhance already existing clinical practices to increase standards for care. For further study, researchers should focus on evaluating initial program implementation and pilot testing in a variety of states and rural populations.


Research Brief: "A Call To Duty: Educational Policy And School Reform Addressing The Needs Of Children From Military Families", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University Dec 2012

Research Brief: "A Call To Duty: Educational Policy And School Reform Addressing The Needs Of Children From Military Families", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

The purpose of this study was to identify the unique circumstantial stressors faced by military children and identify what type of educational support can be provided through implementation of supportive educational policies. Further research is necessary for the sustainability of proposed practice and policy.


Research Brief: "Provider, Veteran, And Family Perspectives On Family Education In Veterans Affairs Community-Based Outpatient Facilities", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University Dec 2012

Research Brief: "Provider, Veteran, And Family Perspectives On Family Education In Veterans Affairs Community-Based Outpatient Facilities", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

This research examines military family perspectives on community- based outpatient clinics (CBOC) and potential barriers to educational initiatives. Findings from this study indicate that although providers strongly support educating families about mental illness and PTSD, few providers are specifically trained to deliver this kind of education to families. Therefore policies should encourage providers to inform veterans and family members of CBOC family services. Further research in this field should include a more nationally representative and diverse sample of veterans.


Research Brief: "Web-Based Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Education For Military Family Members", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University Sep 2012

Research Brief: "Web-Based Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Education For Military Family Members", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

In this study, researchers introduced an educational website to assess and improve knowledge of PTSD, and also help to engage family members in positive actions to assist service members struggling with PTSD. Web-based content can serve as a valuable method of providing care and information to military service members without the risk of being stigmatized; therefore, policy makers should focus on creating and maintaining structural and financial support for programs that provide military service members, and their families, tools to manage post-deployment issues. Future studies should focus on providing an increased range of services for military families using the educational …


Research Brief: "Challenges And Opportunities Of Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom Veterans With Disabilities Transitioning Into Learning And Workplace Environments", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University Aug 2012

Research Brief: "Challenges And Opportunities Of Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom Veterans With Disabilities Transitioning Into Learning And Workplace Environments", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

This brief discusses the transition difficulties of Veterans with PTSD or TBI into civilian employment or academic environments. In practices and policy, implementing some programs and constructing policies with veterans advocacies have been found to provide successful and engaging campuses for veterans. Suggestions for future research include focusing on gender specific outcomes for veterans readjusting to civilian life, including both employment and education outcomes.


Research Brief: "The Effect Of Veterans Benefits On Education And Earnings", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University Apr 2012

Research Brief: "The Effect Of Veterans Benefits On Education And Earnings", Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

This study found that veterans’ benefits which subsidize education make up the largest federal program for student aid, and that veterans’ benefits are estimated to increase future schooling by 1.4 years, meaning annual earnings for these veterans will be 6% higher than they would have been otherwise. In practice, that implies annual earnings approximately 6% higher than would have been expected in the absence of the benefits. In policy, policymakers should note that this study found smaller effects on earnings and education than previous studies have found. Suggestions for future study include comparing the annual earnings premium for veterans’ benefit …


The Effect Of Immigrant Composition On Student Achievement: Evidence From New York City, Ryan Yeung Jan 2011

The Effect Of Immigrant Composition On Student Achievement: Evidence From New York City, Ryan Yeung

Public Administration - Dissertations

There has been a large body of recent literature focused on the effects of school composition on student outcomes. These studies have focused on peer group characteristics such as achievement, gender composition, ethnic and racial composition, and socioeconomic composition. This area of research has been commonly called "peer effects." A relatively unexplored area of peer effects research involves the effect of immigrant children on their schoolmates. Because of the heterogeneity between immigrant groups, this study focuses on East Asian and Dominican immigrant children. As these two groups are on opposite sides of the socioeconomic spectrum, comparing results of the two …


School Finance, Equivalent Educational Expenditure, And Income Distribution: Equal Dollars Or Equal Chances For Success?, Kathryn Wilson, Kristina T. Lambright, Timothy M. Smeeding Jan 2004

School Finance, Equivalent Educational Expenditure, And Income Distribution: Equal Dollars Or Equal Chances For Success?, Kathryn Wilson, Kristina T. Lambright, Timothy M. Smeeding

Center for Policy Research

This paper breaks new ground in the debate on school finance and equality of per pupil school expenditures. We are able to allocate expenditures per pupil at the *individual* student and family income level. This allows us to examine both student and school district characteristics and to assess several measures of equality of expenditure across the income distribution of parents and by funding sources. We find a surprising degree of equality in the actual amounts expended per child in low- vs. high-income families. But adjusting for student needs to reach equivalent education expenditures results in much greater inequality over the …


Boys And Girls Club / Dr. King After School Program: Data Collection And Program Recommendations, Syracuse University. Maxwell School. Community Benchmarks Program Oct 2003

Boys And Girls Club / Dr. King After School Program: Data Collection And Program Recommendations, Syracuse University. Maxwell School. Community Benchmarks Program

Community Benchmarks Program

This report recommends organizational and methodical changes for the Boys & Girls Club of Syracuse (B&G Club) after school program held at the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Magnet School (Dr. King) in Syracuse, New York. The recommendations focus on improvements to the program’s data collection and measurement system as a continuous improvement tool.


Estimating The Cost Of An Adequate Education In New York, William Duncombe Jan 2002

Estimating The Cost Of An Adequate Education In New York, William Duncombe

Center for Policy Research

The New York State Board of Regents and Commissioner of Education have identified a set of clear performance standards for students in New York State that matches the knowledge and skills they will need to function successfully as productive citizens in the 21st century. To match these standards, the New York State Department of Education has developed new Regents Examinations, which all students will be required to pass to graduate from high school, and new examinations in 4th and 8th grades that serve as important intermediate checkpoints in assessing student progress. Justice Leland DeGrasse wrote in *Campaign for Fiscal Equity …


Does School District Consolidation Cut Costs?, William Duncombe, John Yinger Jan 2001

Does School District Consolidation Cut Costs?, William Duncombe, John Yinger

Center for Policy Research

Over the last 50 years, consolidation has dramatically reduced the number of school districts in the United States, and state governments still recommend consolidation, especially in rural school districts, as a way to improve school district efficiency. However, state policies encouraging consolidation are often challenged on the grounds that they do not lead to cost savings and instead foster learning environments that harm student performance. Existing evidence on this topic comes largely from educational cost functions, which indicate that instructional and administrative costs are far lower in a district with 3,000 pupils than in a district with 100 pupils. However, …