Three essays on teachers, markets, and educational policies

Teacher quality has received attention in recent years as an important determinant of student achievement. The three papers that comprise my dissertation each examine a different aspect of the interaction between education policy, labor markets, and teacher quality. The first asks why the numbers of teachers per student have risen in a period when the average skill of teachers appears to have declined. It argues that expanded career opportunities for high skilled women explain much of those trends. The second paper builds on the insight that opportunities outside of teaching determine the ability level of individuals attracted to teaching. It demonstrates that differences in labor markets must be accounted for to compare teaching wages across states and to evaluate the effects of teacher policies. It also shows that the more usual cost-of-living adjusted wages generate distorted comparisons. The third paper notes that while labor market conditions and wages are important determinants of teacher quality, state educational policies also play a significant role. This paper documents the rising trend in teacher hours and argues that the interaction between teacher unionization and school accountability legislation can explain much of the variation in teacher hours.