The Causal Impact of Charter Schools on Private Tutoring Prevalence

This quasi-experimental study examines the influence of charter school openings on the prevalence of private tutoring in the United States. The researchers used data on charter schools and private tutoring firms within school districts from 1997 to 2016. Using an event study approach, the researchers analyze the effect of a change in the number of charter schools within a school district on the number of private tutoring firms in the neighborhood. The findings suggest a consistent, positive, and growing impact on private tutoring prevalence in response to charter school openings, contrary to findings from other countries. The results also suggest greater impact in high-income neighborhoods with a higher educational attainment, proportion of Asian students, and proportion of foreign born residents.