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Differences in the Distribution of High School Achievement: The Role of Class Size and Time-in-Term

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  • Corak, Miles

    (CUNY Graduate Center)

  • Lauzon, Darren

    (Statistics Canada)

Abstract

This paper adopts the technique of DiNardo, Fortin and Lemieux (1996) to decompose differences in the distribution of PISA test scores in Canada, and assesses the relative contribution of differences in the distribution of “class size” and time-in-term, other school factors and student background factors. Class size and time-in-term are both important school choice variables and we examine how provincial achievement differences would change if the Alberta distribution of class size and time-in-term prevailed in the other provinces. Results differ by province, and for provinces where mean achievement gaps would be lower, not all students would benefit.

Suggested Citation

  • Corak, Miles & Lauzon, Darren, 2010. "Differences in the Distribution of High School Achievement: The Role of Class Size and Time-in-Term," IZA Discussion Papers 4824, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp4824
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    6. Sara de la Rica; Luz Karime Abadía Alvarado & Luz Karime Abadía Alvarado, 2011. "Changes in the Gender Wage Gap and the Role of Education and Other Job Characteristics: Colombia 1994-2010," Vniversitas Económica 10088, Universidad Javeriana - Bogotá.

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    Keywords

    educational economics; human capital; input-output analysis;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I22 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Educational Finance; Financial Aid

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