The Effect of School Finance Reforms in Reducing Homicide Victimization for Young Black Males

While many believe that schooling and education can deter crime, voters often express polarized sentiments towards increasing investment in public schools. State school finance reforms (SFRs), triggered by judicial and legislative decisions in 27 states are non-criminal justice interventions with the potential to impact public safety. A growing literature examines how SFRs affect individual and social economic outcomes, but less is known about how they affect community-level safety and violent crime exposure. Economists Kenneth Whaley, Jamein Cunningham, and Monique Davis will estimate the impact of SFRs on the homicide victimization of young Black men. They will analyze homicide and address records for their study.