The Impacts of Teachers’ Union Reform on Student Achievement: Evidence From the Midwestern States

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Saturday 1:30 pm Four Seasons Ballroom 4
  In Roundtable Session: Unpacking Teacher Union Dynamics: Organizing, Bargaining, and Outcomes (Table 8)

Abstract

Although research has extensively investigated the influence of teachers’ unions on K-12 school systems over several decades, there remains a notable gap in our understanding of the impacts of de-unionization on students. We employed a difference-in-differences design with district-level longitudinal data of Wisconsin, Michigan, Iowa, and Ohio from 2009 through 2013. Our investigation revealed that statewide union reforms led to a decrease in student test scores, with a greater reduction in urban districts and districts serving a high concentration of Black students. The reduced test scores were mediated by the reduction of the district expenditure on instruction. This study has significant implications for policymakers endeavoring to design and implement union reforms, which may worsen the academic achievement gaps among students.

Authors

• Minseok Yang, University of Missouri

• Hyunwoo Yang, The Chinese University of Hong Kong