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Does class size influence student achievement?

Author

Listed:
  • Adrien Bouguen

    (Universität Mannheim)

  • Julien Grenet

    (IPP - Institut des politiques publiques, PSE - Paris School of Economics - UP1 - Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne - ENS-PSL - École normale supérieure - Paris - PSL - Université Paris Sciences et Lettres - EHESS - École des hautes études en sciences sociales - ENPC - École des Ponts ParisTech - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique - INRAE - Institut National de Recherche pour l’Agriculture, l’Alimentation et l’Environnement, PJSE - Paris Jourdan Sciences Economiques - UP1 - Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne - ENS-PSL - École normale supérieure - Paris - PSL - Université Paris Sciences et Lettres - INRA - Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique - EHESS - École des hautes études en sciences sociales - ENPC - École des Ponts ParisTech - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique)

  • Marc Gurgand

    (IPP - Institut des politiques publiques, PSE - Paris School of Economics - UP1 - Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne - ENS-PSL - École normale supérieure - Paris - PSL - Université Paris Sciences et Lettres - EHESS - École des hautes études en sciences sociales - ENPC - École des Ponts ParisTech - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique - INRAE - Institut National de Recherche pour l’Agriculture, l’Alimentation et l’Environnement, PJSE - Paris Jourdan Sciences Economiques - UP1 - Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne - ENS-PSL - École normale supérieure - Paris - PSL - Université Paris Sciences et Lettres - INRA - Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique - EHESS - École des hautes études en sciences sociales - ENPC - École des Ponts ParisTech - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique)

Abstract

This policy brief presents the results of the most methodologically robust studies that estimate the impact of a reduction in class size on the student achievement and longer-run outcomes. Contrary to an idea that persisted for a long time, the effects are high, if they are compared with those of other educational policies conducted on a large scale and assessed rigorously. The absolute cost of such a policy justifies targeting it on the most disadvantaged pupils, but the investment is profitable whenever the salary gain for two years spent in a half-size class is greater than 1%. However many unknown quantities remain, in particular about how reduction in class size links up with teaching practices.

Suggested Citation

  • Adrien Bouguen & Julien Grenet & Marc Gurgand, 2017. "Does class size influence student achievement?," Institut des Politiques Publiques halshs-02522747, HAL.
    • Handle: RePEc:hal:ipppap:halshs-02522747
    Note: View the original document on HAL open archive server: https://shs.hal.science/halshs-02522747
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    References listed on IDEAS

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