WWC review of this study

Better schools, less crime?

Deming, D. J. (2011). The Quarterly Journal of Economics, 126(4), 2063–2115.

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
     examining 
    1,677
     Students
    , grades
    6-11

Reviewed: July 2013

At least one statistically significant positive finding
Meets WWC standards without reservations
Completing school outcomes—Indeterminate effect found for the domain
Outcome
measure
Comparison Period Sample Intervention
mean
Comparison
mean
Significant? Improvement
    index
Evidence
tier

High school graduation

Charlotte-Mecklenburg School Choice vs. Business as usual

Posttest

High school students: High-risk group;
202 students

0.24

0.27

No

--

High school graduation

Charlotte-Mecklenburg School Choice vs. Business as usual

Posttest

Middle school students: High-risk group;
216 students

0.08

0.11

Yes

-4
 
 
External behavior outcomes—Statistically significant negative effect found for the domain
Outcome
measure
Comparison Period Sample Intervention
mean
Comparison
mean
Significant? Improvement
    index
Evidence
tier

Sentence-weighted arrests

Charlotte-Mecklenburg School Choice vs. Business as usual

Posttest

Middle and high school students: Low-risk group;
1,677 students

6.90

3.80

Yes

 
 
3

Felony arrests

Charlotte-Mecklenburg School Choice vs. Business as usual

Posttest

Middle school students: High-risk group;
216 students

0.78

0.71

Yes

 
 
2

Felony arrests

Charlotte-Mecklenburg School Choice vs. Business as usual

Posttest

Middle and high school students: Low-risk group;
1,677 students

0.11

0.10

Yes

 
 
1

Felony arrests

Charlotte-Mecklenburg School Choice vs. Business as usual

Posttest

Middle and high school students: High-risk group;
418 students

0.59

0.73

Yes

-4
 
 

Sentence-weighted arrests

Charlotte-Mecklenburg School Choice vs. Business as usual

Posttest

High school students: High-risk group;
202 students

35.50

58.60

No

--

Sentence-weighted arrests

Charlotte-Mecklenburg School Choice vs. Business as usual

Posttest

Middle and high school students: High-risk group;
418 students

26.60

52.50

No

--

Sentence-weighted arrests

Charlotte-Mecklenburg School Choice vs. Business as usual

Posttest

Middle school students: High-risk group;
216 students

17.30

48.30

No

--

Felony arrests

Charlotte-Mecklenburg School Choice vs. Business as usual

Posttest

High school students: High-risk group;
202 students

0.43

0.77

Yes

-10
 
 
Show Supplemental Findings

Total days incarcerated

Charlotte-Mecklenburg School Choice vs. Business as usual

Posttest

Middle and high school students, low-risk group: African-American students;
864 students

13.00

7.80

No

--

Total days incarcerated

Charlotte-Mecklenburg School Choice vs. Business as usual

Posttest

High school students, high-risk group: African-American students;
190 students

64.70

91.40

No

--

Total days incarcerated

Charlotte-Mecklenburg School Choice vs. Business as usual

Posttest

Middle and high school students, high-risk group: African-American studetns;
395 students

40.10

70.00

Yes

-6
 
 

Total days incarcerated

Charlotte-Mecklenburg School Choice vs. Business as usual

Posttest

Middle school students, high-risk group: African-American students;
205 students

19.30

55.50

Yes

-9
 
 
General Mathematics Achievement outcomes—Indeterminate effect found for the domain
Outcome
measure
Comparison Period Sample Intervention
mean
Comparison
mean
Significant? Improvement
    index
Evidence
tier

Math score

Charlotte-Mecklenburg School Choice vs. Business as usual

2003

Middle school students: High-risk group;
171 students

-0.98

-1.03

Yes

 
 
2

Math score

Charlotte-Mecklenburg School Choice vs. Business as usual

2004

Middle school students: High-risk group;
137 students

-1.02

-0.93

Yes

-4
 
 
Reading achievement outcomes—Indeterminate effect found for the domain
Outcome
measure
Comparison Period Sample Intervention
mean
Comparison
mean
Significant? Improvement
    index
Evidence
tier

Reading score

Charlotte-Mecklenburg School Choice vs. Business as usual

2003

Middle school students: High-risk group;
172 students

-1.24

-1.16

Yes

-3
 
 

Reading score

Charlotte-Mecklenburg School Choice vs. Business as usual

2004

Middle school students: High-risk group;
135 students

-1.27

-1.19

No

-3
 
 


Evidence Tier rating based solely on this study. This intervention may achieve a higher tier when combined with the full body of evidence.

Characteristics of study sample as reported by study author.


  • Male: 100%

  • Urban
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    North Carolina
  • Race
    Black
    45%
 

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This download will include data files for study and findings review data and a data dictionary.

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