The surprising effect of larger class sizes: evidence using two identification strategies

Denny, K. and Oppedisano, V. 2013. The surprising effect of larger class sizes: evidence using two identification strategies. Labour Economics. 23 (4), pp. 57-65 23. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.labeco.2013.04.004

TitleThe surprising effect of larger class sizes: evidence using two identification strategies
AuthorsDenny, K. and Oppedisano, V.
Abstract

This paper estimates the marginal effect of class size on educational attainment of high school students. We control for the potential endogeneity of class size in two ways using a conventional instrumental variable approach, based on changes in cohort size, and an alternative method where identification is based on restrictions on higher moments. The data is drawn from the Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) collected in 2003 for the United States and the United Kingdom. Using either method or the two in conjunction leads to the conclusion that increases in class size lead to improvements in student's mathematics scores. Only the results for the United Kingdom are statistically significant.

KeywordsClass sizes; Educational production; Endogeneity; Instrumental variables
Article number23
JournalLabour Economics
Journal citation23 (4), pp. 57-65
ISSN0927-5371
Year2013
PublisherElsevier
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1016/j.labeco.2013.04.004
Publication dates
Published22 Apr 2013
PublishedAug 2013

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