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Small-group instruction to improve student performance in mathematics in early grades: Results from a randomized field experiment

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  • Bonesrønning, Hans
  • Finseraas, Henning
  • Hardoy, Ines
  • Iversen, Jon Marius Vaag
  • Nyhus, Ole Henning
  • Opheim, Vibeke
  • Salvanes, Kari Vea
  • Sandsør, Astrid Marie Jorde
  • Schøne, Pål

Abstract

We investigate whether small-group instruction improves student performance in mathematics in the early grades using a large-scale RCT covering 159 Norwegian schools over four years. The students − 7–9 years old - are pulled out from their regular mathematics classes into small, homogenous groups of 4–6 students for mathematics instruction for 3 to 4 h per week, for two periods of 4–6 weeks per school year. Unlike many other recent tutoring experiments, all students are pulled out, not only struggling students. In our intention-to-treat analysis, we find that students in treatment schoolsincreased their performance by0.06of a standard deviation in national tests, with no differential effect by baseline test score level, parental education, or gender. Our study is particularly relevant for policy-makers seeking to use additional teaching resources to target a heterogeneous student population efficiently.

Suggested Citation

  • Bonesrønning, Hans & Finseraas, Henning & Hardoy, Ines & Iversen, Jon Marius Vaag & Nyhus, Ole Henning & Opheim, Vibeke & Salvanes, Kari Vea & Sandsør, Astrid Marie Jorde & Schøne, Pål, 2022. "Small-group instruction to improve student performance in mathematics in early grades: Results from a randomized field experiment," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 216(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:pubeco:v:216:y:2022:i:c:s0047272722001670
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jpubeco.2022.104765
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    Cited by:

    1. Nicolai T. Borgen & Lars J. Kirkebøen & Andreas Kotsadam & Oddbjørn Raaum, 2022. "Do funds for more teachers improve student outcomes?," Discussion Papers 982, Statistics Norway, Research Department.
    2. Simon Calmar Andersen & Louise Beuchert & Phillip Heiler & Helena Skyt Nielsen, 2023. "A Guide to Impact Evaluation under Sample Selection and Missing Data: Teacher's Aides and Adolescent Mental Health," Papers 2308.04963, arXiv.org.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Education economics; Small-group instruction; Tutoring; Tracking; Class size; Field experiment; Intervention; Randomized controlled trial; Teacher-student ratio; mathematics; C93 (Field Experiments); H52 (Government Expenditures and Education); I21 (Analysis of Education);
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C93 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Field Experiments
    • H52 - Public Economics - - National Government Expenditures and Related Policies - - - Government Expenditures and Education
    • I21 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Analysis of Education

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