Events at CERGE-EI

Prof. Steven Rivkin

Amherst College, USA

Authors: Gregory F. Branch, Eric A. Hanushek, and Steven G. Rivkin

Abstract: Although much has been written about the importance of school leadership, there is surprisingly little quantitative evidence on the determinants or distribution of principal effectiveness. This paper uses Texas administrative data to generate semi-parametric estimates of principal value-added, describe the distribution of principal effectiveness and principal transition patterns, and examine potential channels through which principals affect school quality including the composition of teacher transitions and student absenteeism. The principal quality estimates reveal larger variation in principal quality in higher poverty schools, while the analysis of transition patterns reveals little systematic evidence of higher transition rates for more effective principals, particularly in high poverty schools. Finally, evidence of lower student absenteeism and more negative selection of exiting teachers in schools with higher value-added principals support the view that the principal fixed effects capture real quality differences.

Full Text: “Estimating Principal Effectiveness”