Using Regression Discontinuity with Implicit Partitions: The Impacts of Communidades Soliarias Rurales on Schooling in El Salvador

• Departmental Seminar
• Development Workshop

Date and Location

Monday, October 25, 2010, 12:00 AM - 5:30 PM

Abstract

Regression discontinuity design is a useful tool for evaluating programs when a specific variable is used to determine program eligibility. In this paper, we show that under specific conditions, regression discontinuity can be used in instances when more than one variable are used to determine eligibility, without mapping those variables into a single measure, through the use of a distance metric and by creating an implicit partition between groups. We apply this model to the case of Communidades Solidarias Rurales in El Salvador, which used partitioned cluster analysis to determine the order communities would enter the program. Using data collected for the evaluation as well as data from the 6th National Census of El Salvador, we demonstrate that the program increased both parvularia and primary school enrollment among children aged 6 to 12 years old. Among children of primary school age, we further show that enrollment gains were largest among younger children and older girls.