The publication of school rankings: A step toward increased accountability?

• We analyze the effects of the publication of school rankings.
• After the rankings publication, fewer students enroll in schools that are rated poorly.
• The probability of closure of schools that are rated poorly increases after publication.
• The effects of the rankings publication are stronger for private schools.

This paper contributes to the discussion of the effects of the publication of school rankings based on students’ scores on national exams. We study the effectiveness of this (low-stakes) accountability mechanism. Our results suggest that the publication of rankings has clear effects upon families and schools in Portugal. After the rankings publication, fewer students enroll in schools that are rated poorly and the probability of closure of these schools increases. These effects are stronger for private schools.