Abstract We present results from a large-scale randomized experiment across 350 schools in Tanzania that studied the impact of providing with (i) unconditional grants, (ii) teacher incentives based on student performance, and (iii) both above. After two years, we find no test scores school some evidence positive effects incentives, significant programs. Most important, strong complementarities between programs, effect joint provision being significantly greater than sum individual effects....

Abstract Factorial designs are widely used to study multiple treatments in one experiment. While t-tests using a fully-saturated “long” model provide valid inferences, “short” (that ignore interactions) yield higher power if interactions zero, but incorrect inferences otherwise. Of 27 factorial experiments published top-5 journals (2007–2017), 19 use the short model. After including interactions, over half of their results lose significance. Based on recent econometric advances, we show that...

In 2016, the Liberian government delegated management of 93 randomly selected public schools to private providers. Providers received US$50 per pupil, on top pupil annual expenditure in control schools. After one academic year, students outsourced scored 0.18 σ higher English and mathematics. We do not find heterogeneity learning gains or enrollment by student characteristics, but there is significant across While outsourcing appears be a cost-effective way use new resources improve test...

Factorial designs are widely used for studying multiple treatments in one experiment. While "long" model t-tests provide valid inferences, "short" (ignoring interactions) yield higher power if interactions zero, but incorrect inferences otherwise. Of 27 factorial experiments published top-5 journals (2007–2017), 19 use the short model. After including all interactions, over half their results lose significance. Modest local improvements long possible, with lower most values of interaction....

<h3>Abstract</h3> We use a panel survey of ~ 19,000 primary-school-aged children in rural Tamil Nadu to study 'learning loss' after COVID-19-induced school closures, and the pace recovery schools reopened. Students tested December 2021 (18 months closures) displayed learning deficits ~0.73<i>σ</i> math 0.34<i>σ</i> language compared identically-aged students same villages 2019. Two-thirds this deficit was made up within 6 Further, while loss regressive, progressive. A government-run...

We use a field experiment in Tanzania to compare the effectiveness on learning of two teacher performance pay systems.The first is Pay for Percentile system (a rank-order tournament).The second rewards teachers based multiple proficiency thresholds.Pay can (under certain conditions) induce optimal effort among teachers, but our threshold easier implement and provides with clearer goals targets.Both systems improved student test scores.However, multiple-thresholds was more effective boosting...

Abstract We use a nationally representative field experiment in Tanzania to compare two teacher performance pay systems public primary schools: ‘pay-for-percentile’ system (a rank-order tournament) and ‘levels’ that features multiple proficiency thresholds. Pay for percentile can potentially induce socially optimal effort among teachers, while levels encourage teachers focus on students near passing Despite the theoretical advantage of tournament system, we find both improved student test...

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Replication is a critical component of scientific credibility as it increases our confidence in the reliability knowledge generated by original research.Yet, replication exception rather than rule economics.In this paper, we examine why so rare and propose changes to incentives replicate.Our study focuses on software code replication, which seeks replicate results paper using same data verifying that analysis correct.We analyse effectiveness current model for context three desirable...

Multiple-choice exams are frequently used as an efficient and objective method to assess learning, but they more vulnerable answer copying than tests based on open questions. Several statistical (known indices in the literature) have been proposed detect cheating; however, best of our knowledge, all lack mathematical support that guarantees optimality any sense. We partially fill this void by deriving uniformly most powerful (UMP) test under assumption response distribution is known. In...

Abstract Outsourcing the management of ninety-three randomly-selected government primary schools in Liberia to eight private operators led learning gains 0.18$\sigma$ after one year, but these effects plateaued subsequent years (reaching 0.2$\sigma$ three years). Beyond gains, programme reduced corporal punishment (by 4.6 percentage points from a base 51%), increased dropout 3.3 15%) and failed reduce sexual abuse. Despite facing similar contracts settings, some providers produced uniformly...

Replication is a critical component of scientific credibility as it increases our confidence in the reliability knowledge generated by original research. Yet, replication exception rather than rule economics. In this paper, we examine why so rare and propose changes to incentives replicate. Our study focuses on software code replication, which seeks replicate results paper using same data verifying that analysis correct. We analyse effectiveness current model for context three desirable...

We introduce new risk groups to a standard capitation formula and evaluate selection incentives of insurers. The study uses unique data set almost 24 million affiliates Government’s mandatory health insurance system. This is very rich in the sense reporting all claims during year 2010, basic demographic variables, initial diagnostic, services, pharmaceuticals used, etc. It compromises more than 300 claims. construct two diagnostic related groups: an adaptation 3M algorithm, ad hoc group...

The rights of homosexuals and same-sex couples are currently the subject debate on public stage in courtrooms around world. This is often colored by prejudice misconceptions regarding homosexuality, particularly low- middle-income countries. study investigates opinions Colombian women about couples' women's attitudes toward a homosexual child (maternal acceptance). Using nationally representative data set, we find that younger, wealthier, more educated likely to support their approve rights,...