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Geographic Isolation and Learning in Rural Schools

Author

Listed:
  • Leonardo Bonilla-Mejía
  • Erika Londoño-Ortega
Abstract
Rural schools are usually behind in terms of learning, and part of this could be related to geographical isolation. We explore this hypothesis, assessing the causal effect of distance between rural schools and local governments on learning in Colombia. We use spatial discontinuous regression models based on detailed administrative records from the education system and granular geographic information. Results indicate that distance to towns and Secretary of Education has significant negative effects on students’ standardized test scores. We evaluated alternative mechanisms, finding that the effect of distance is partly explained by differences in critical educational inputs, such as teachers’ education attainment and contract stability. Finally, we assess the mediating role of a program providing monetary incentives to teachers and principals in remote areas. **** RESUMEN: Las escuelas rurales están generalmente rezagadas en términos de aprendizaje y parte de esto puede estar relacionado con el aislamiento geográfico. Este documento explora esta hipótesis, evaluando el efecto causal de la distancia entre las escuelas rurales y los gobiernos locales en el aprendizaje. Empleamos modelos de regresión discontinua espaciales a partir de registros administrativos detallados e información geográfica granular del sistema educativo. Los resultados indican que tanto la distancia a las cabeceras municipales como aquella a las Secretarías de Educación tiene efectos negativos y significativos sobre los puntajes en las pruebas estandarizadas de los alumnos. Estudiamos diferentes mecanismos, encontrando que el efecto de la distancia se explica en parte por diferencias importantes en insumos educativos, como la formación de los docentes y los nombramientos permanentes. Finalmente, estudiamos en que medida el programa de incentivos monetarios para escuelas en zonas de difícil acceso media estos resultados.

Suggested Citation

  • Leonardo Bonilla-Mejía & Erika Londoño-Ortega, 2021. "Geographic Isolation and Learning in Rural Schools," Borradores de Economia 1169, Banco de la Republica de Colombia.
    • Handle: RePEc:bdr:borrec:1169
    DOI: 10.32468/be.1169
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Geographic isolation; education; rural; Colombia; aislamiento geográfico; educación; rural; Colombia.;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • R12 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General Regional Economics - - - Size and Spatial Distributions of Regional Economic Activity; Interregional Trade (economic geography)
    • I21 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Analysis of Education
    • I24 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Education and Inequality
    • H75 - Public Economics - - State and Local Government; Intergovernmental Relations - - - State and Local Government: Health, Education, and Welfare
    • R10 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General Regional Economics - - - General

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