Abstract
A large literature finds mixed evidence on the direction and magnitude of the educational return to class size. A seminal paper by Lazear (2001. “Educational Production.” Quarterly Journal of Economics 116 (3): 777–803) attempted to reconcile these disparate findings by developing a theoretical model that allowed the return to class size to vary by the level of classroom disruption. In this study, we present new evidence on this topic. Our estimates indicate that larger class sizes reduce test scores in disruptive environments but not in settings where there is little disruption. Even though we find evidence consistent with the Lazear hypothesis, the estimates are small in magnitude and suggest that marginal changes in class size are not likely to be a primary factor in explaining variation in high-school aged student success, as measured by test scores.
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Articles in the same Issue
- Frontmatter
- Research Articles
- Fair Choices During COVID-19: Firms’ Altruism and Inequality Aversion in Managing a Large Short-Time Work Scheme
- Inequality in Health Status During the COVID-19 in the UK: Does the Impact of the Second Lockdown Policy Matter?
- The Political Timing of Tax Policy: Evidence from U.S. States
- Is it a Matter of Skills? High School Choices and the Gender Gap in STEM
- Patent Licensing and Litigation
- Class Size, Student Disruption, and Academic Achievement
- Political Orientation and Policy Compliance: Evidence from COVID-19 Mobility Patterns in Korea
- Social Efficiency of Free Entry in a Vertically Related Industry with Cost and Technology Asymmetry
- Carbon Tax with Individuals’ Heterogeneous Environmental Concerns
- Equitable Redistribution and Inefficiency under Credit Rationing
- Letters
- Psychological Well-Being of Only Children: Evidence from the One-Child Policy
- Peer Effects in Child Work Decisions: Evidence from PROGRESA Cash Transfer Program
- Right Time to Focus? Time of Day and Cognitive Performance
- Employee Dissatisfaction and Intentions to Quit: New Evidence and Policy Recommendations
- On the Stability of Common Ownership Arrangements
Articles in the same Issue
- Frontmatter
- Research Articles
- Fair Choices During COVID-19: Firms’ Altruism and Inequality Aversion in Managing a Large Short-Time Work Scheme
- Inequality in Health Status During the COVID-19 in the UK: Does the Impact of the Second Lockdown Policy Matter?
- The Political Timing of Tax Policy: Evidence from U.S. States
- Is it a Matter of Skills? High School Choices and the Gender Gap in STEM
- Patent Licensing and Litigation
- Class Size, Student Disruption, and Academic Achievement
- Political Orientation and Policy Compliance: Evidence from COVID-19 Mobility Patterns in Korea
- Social Efficiency of Free Entry in a Vertically Related Industry with Cost and Technology Asymmetry
- Carbon Tax with Individuals’ Heterogeneous Environmental Concerns
- Equitable Redistribution and Inefficiency under Credit Rationing
- Letters
- Psychological Well-Being of Only Children: Evidence from the One-Child Policy
- Peer Effects in Child Work Decisions: Evidence from PROGRESA Cash Transfer Program
- Right Time to Focus? Time of Day and Cognitive Performance
- Employee Dissatisfaction and Intentions to Quit: New Evidence and Policy Recommendations
- On the Stability of Common Ownership Arrangements