Data and Code for "Preferences, Selection, and the Structure of Teacher Pay"

Principal Investigator(s):  View help for Principal Investigator(s) Andrew Johnston, UC Merced and National Bureau of Economic Research

Version:  View help for Version V1

Name File Type Size Last Modified
01_replication.do text/plain 154 KB 08/23/2024 08:14:AM
AEJ_estimates_new.dta application/x-stata-dta 2 MB 08/23/2024 08:12:AM
Estimating GE effects.do text/plain 23.8 KB 08/15/2024 09:30:AM
UHouston_survey_2.dta application/x-stata-dta 1.9 MB 10/08/2024 03:20:PM
VAM_make_AEJ_R&R_round2.do text/plain 8.6 KB 05/10/2024 06:28:AM
apptable8_tstats.do text/plain 209 bytes 08/15/2024 03:34:PM
clean_danielson.dta application/x-stata-dta 132.5 KB 08/20/2024 03:27:PM
confuneq_ach.m text/x-matlab 5.4 KB 04/05/2024 11:42:AM
confuneq_ret.m text/x-matlab 5.3 KB 10/12/2017 10:45:AM
confuneq_util.m text/x-matlab 5.8 KB 04/03/2024 11:14:AM

Project Citation: 

Johnston, Andrew. Data and Code for “Preferences, Selection, and the Structure of Teacher Pay.” Nashville, TN: American Economic Association [publisher], 2025. Ann Arbor, MI: Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research [distributor], 2025-06-09. https://doi.org/10.3886/E198086V1

Project Description

Summary:  View help for Summary I investigate teacher preferences using a discrete-choice experiment that I link to records on teacher performance. I estimate willingness-to-pay for a rich set of compensation elements and work amenities. High-performing teachers share similar preferences with their peers but show a distinct preference for greater performance pay. Taking the preference estimates at face value, I investigate the optimal compensation structure to meet various goals, including maximizing teacher utility, teacher retention, and student achievement. Under each objective, schools underpay in salary and performance pay while overpaying in retirement benefits. Restructuring compensation can significantly increase both teacher welfare and student achievement.

Scope of Project

Subject Terms:  View help for Subject Terms teacher; teacher evaluation; compensation
JEL Classification:  View help for JEL Classification
      I20 Education and Research Institutions: General
      J32 Nonwage Labor Costs and Benefits; Retirement Plans; Private Pensions
      J45 Public Sector Labor Markets
      M50 Personnel Economics: General
Geographic Coverage:  View help for Geographic Coverage Houston, TX
Time Period(s):  View help for Time Period(s) 2016 – 2016
Collection Date(s):  View help for Collection Date(s) 5/1/2015 – 5/30/2015
Universe:  View help for Universe NA
Data Type(s):  View help for Data Type(s) administrative records data; survey data
Collection Notes:  View help for Collection Notes NA

Methodology

Response Rate:  View help for Response Rate >97 percent
Sampling:  View help for Sampling Survey was sent to all teachers in Aldine Independent School District.
Data Source:  View help for Data Source Aldine Independent School District
Collection Mode(s):  View help for Collection Mode(s) web-based survey
Scales:  View help for Scales NA
Weights:  View help for Weights NA
Unit(s) of Observation:  View help for Unit(s) of Observation teachers
Geographic Unit:  View help for Geographic Unit NA

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Published Versions

V1 [2025-06-09]

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