Building Opportunity: The Intergenerational Effects of Chilean School Construction

In 1965–1966, Chile built and staffed thousands of new primary classrooms in supply-constrained communities. Using a quasi-experimental design and large census samples, we show that childhood exposure to school construction substantially improved the schooling and labor market outcomes of adults and closed a persistent female disadvantage in school attainment. Women’s exposure to the policy had large intergenerational spillovers on their children’s on-time grade progression and completed schooling. The marginal value of public funds is 13, including direct effects on adults and intergenerational spillovers.