Abstract: This study explores the impact of online education on student outcomes. Specifically, I measure the differential effects on students who are classified as low-income, English language learners (ELL), and students of different age groups. By using the COVID-19 related school closures as a treatment, I examine student-level panel data from a large U.S. school district spanning 2017-2023. Analyzing various outcome variables, including reading tests, end-of-level exams, and ACT scores, I estimate the effects on diverse demographic groups, students over time, and students of different ages. Results indicate a significant decline in student performance after the move to online education, with additional adverse effects on low-income, special education, and English language learner students. Mechanisms contributing to this decline include socioeconomic disparities, challenges faced by special education and language learners, and structural changes in education. These findings underscore the need for targeted interventions to mitigate disparities and support students in the move to online education.
Abstract: In this work I establish a causal link between free school meals and education outcomes by comparing the relative change in test scores between students who receive free school meals based on income to those who do not across states that removed or extended these free school meals programs after 2022. By implementing a triple difference-in-differences design, I provide evidence on how the removal of free school meals causally impacts student test scores. After this relationship is established, I explore possible mechanisms driving this result.
Abstract: This work attempts to explore the true costs of umpire inaccuracies and how they impact to domestic violence. Using regular season MLB data, I show an increase in the number of domestic violence reports when MLB teams lose, with umpire accuracy playing a role in mitigating (or worsening) this effect. This effect is focused to extremely accurate and inaccurate umpires, games played in October and June, and games played on Thursdays, Fridays, and Sundays. There are a few possible explanations that are lightly explored. Further work can be done to better understand this relationship.