Impact of Total Per Student School Expenditure on Intergenerational Upward Mobility

Abstract

Looking at the effects of per student school expenditures on intergenerational upward mobility, this research examines if there is a significant positive effect from increased school spending on upward mobility of children. Data from more than 10 million children across 720 Commuting Zones was used to analyze this effect. The results of the study align with previous literature that show there are other factors that hold a greater effect on mobility than school spending. This research also shows that increased school spending has a greater, positive effect on those in the lowest tail of the income distribution than those in a higher area of the distribution.