Examining the Educational Spillover Effects of Severe Natural Disasters: The Case of Hurricane Maria

This study examines the effects of internal migration driven by severe natural disasters on host communities, and the mechanisms behind these effects, using the large influx of migrants into Florida public schools after Hurricane Maria. I find adverse effects of the influx in the first year on existing student test scores, disciplinary problems, and student mobility among high-performing students in middle and high school that also persist in the second year. I also find evidence that compensatory resource allocation within schools is an important factor driving the adverse effects of large, unexpected migrant flows on incumbent students in the short-run.

WP 233-0320 was originally released in March 2020. This updated version, WP 233-0320-2, was released in January 2021.