Using meta-analysis we find that, on average, sought-after schools do not improve student test scores. A potential explanation for this result is that parents value schools that improve outcomes not well-measured by test scores. We explore this notion using both administrative and survey data from Barbados. Using a regression discontinuity design, preferred schools have better peers but do not improve short-run test scores. Consistent with the proposed explanation, the same students at the same schools have more post-secondary school completion and improved adult well-being (based on an index of educational attainment, occupational rank, earnings, and health). These long-run benefits are larger for females who also experience reduced teen motherhood. Mechanisms are explored.

中文翻译：

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上家长喜欢的学校的短期和长期影响

使用元分析我们发现，平均而言，受欢迎的学校不会提高学生的考试成绩。对这一结果的一个潜在解释是，家长重视那些提高成绩的学校，而不是通过考试成绩来衡量。我们使用来自巴巴多斯的行政和调查数据来探索这个概念。使用回归不连续性设计，首选学校有更好的同龄人，但不会提高短期考试成绩。与提议的解释一致，同一所学校的同一学生完成了更多的中学后教育，并改善了成年人的幸福感（基于教育程度、职业排名、收入和健康的指数）。这些长期利益对于那些青少年母性也减少的女性来说更大。机制进行了探索。