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The Effect of Teachers' Unions on Education Production: Evidence from Union Election Certifications in Three Midwestern States

Author
Lovenheim, Michael
Abstract
Using a unique data set on teachers’ union election certifications from
Iowa, Indiana, and Minnesota, I estimate the effect of teachers’ unions
on school district resources and on student educational attainment.
My empirical strategy allows for nonparametric leads and lags of
union age. I find no impact on teacher pay or per student district
expenditures but that unions increase teacher employment by 5%. I
find no class size effect because of enrollment increases in unionized
districts, and I estimate that unions have no net effect on high school
dropout rates. These findings highlight the importance of correctly
measuring unionization status.
Date Issued
2009Subject
Policy Analysis and Management
Previously Published As
Journal of Labor Economics, University of Chicago Press, vol. 27(4), pages 525-587
Type
article