(Universidad de los Andes, 2022-08-21) Gómez Ortiz, María del Mar; García Jaramillo, Sandra; Moya Rodríguez, Andrés; 52138085; 79982147
In this paper, I explore the impact of natural disasters on education. For this purpose, I bring together unique data on the exposure to several natural disasters and cognitive skills observed at the school levels. Applying one of the most recent events study methodologies, I evaluate if the experience of more severe climate disasters reduces student performance in standardized cognitive tests. Moreover, using detailed information from the Colombian Ministry of Education, I also explore the effect of natural disasters on dropout, absenteeism, and grade retention rates. In line with prior literature on the consequences of natural disasters on education, I find that natural disasters negatively affect students' cognitive skills. They reduce the standardized test scores, increase the share of students at the insufficient level and increase it on the advanced and satisfactory levels. Moreover, they raise the dropout and absenteeism rates. In that sense, my conclusions highlight the importance of the strategies to promote the academic recovery of victims of natural disasters.
