Publications
Rogers, Salem, Tyler Powell, Katharine O. Strunk, and Bryant G. Hopkins (2025). Viral Change: Trends in Michigan Teacher Attrition and Mobility before and during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Education Finance and Policy. https://doi.org/10.1162/edfp.a.18
Working Papers
Taking the Long Way Home: The Effects of Bus Commutes on Student Achievement (Job Market Paper)
Under Review
Abstract: I estimate the causal impact of commuting time on students' academic effort and performance. Using novel administrative transportation data from North Carolina and idiosyncratic variation in bus route assignments, I show that longer bus commutes worsen student outcomes. A one standard deviation (21.5-minute) increase in morning commuting time leads to a 2.6 percent increase in the likelihood of being suspended, a 0.01 s.d. decrease in math and reading test scores, and a 0.02 s.d. decrease in ACT score. Time use patterns suggest students and adults respond similarly when faced with long commutes---sacrificing sleep and potentially diminishing their productivity.
Trade-offs from Race-Neutral Affirmative Action: Evidence from Academically Selective High Schools
(with Rene Crespin)
Abstract: This paper provides the first national empirical evidence on the impacts of race-neutral affirmative action (AA) admissions policies in academically selective public high schools (ASHSs). The adoption of race-neutral AA policies increases low-income enrollment shares by 14 percentage points (40%) and underrepresented minority (URM) enrollment shares by 6.5 percentage points (28%). Average test score declines from these policies are modest: treated schools experience a reduction of only 0.1 sd in ACT/SAT scores. 2SLS estimates imply that a 10 percentage point increase in free lunch or URM enrollment reduces average test scores by about 0.2 sd, closely mirroring predictions from simulation-based studies.
Works in Progress
The Effects of Early Middle College on Educational Attainment
Policy Reports
(with Tara Kilbride, Salem Rogers, and Jennifer Moriarty)