The Unequal Effect of Temperature on Test Scores: Evidence from Colombia
Peer Reviewed
Date issued
Apr 2023
Subject
Climate Change;
High School;
Test Score;
Equality of Opportunity;
Equality;
Social Equality;
Educational Institution;
Income Distribution;
Human Capital;
Municipal Government
JEL code
Q54 - Climate • Natural Disasters and Their Management • Global Warming;
I24 - Education and Inequality;
Q56 - Environment and Development • Environment and Trade • Sustainability • Environmental Accounts and Accounting • Environmental Equity • Population Growth;
O15 - Human Resources • Human Development • Income Distribution • Migration
Country
Colombia
Category
Discussion Papers
We investigate the unequal impact of environmental shocks on high-stakes test scores across income levels to document that climate change will exacerbate inequality. We show that low-income students systematically score lower than high-income students and also have greater exposure to extreme heat. We show that extreme temperatures in the week leading up to the exam reduce test scores only for low-income students, indicating one channel through which
climate change will exacerbate inequality.
climate change will exacerbate inequality.
