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Effects of Class-Size Reduction, On Cognitive and Non-cognitive Skills

Author

Listed:
  • Hirotake Ito

    (Graduate School of Media and Governance, Keio University)

  • Makiko Nakamuro

    (Graduate School of Media and Governance, Keio University)

  • Shintaro Yamaguchi

    (Faculty of Economics, The University of Tokyo)

Abstract

We estimate the effects of class-size reduction by exploiting exoge-nous variation caused by Maimonides' rule that requires the maximumclass size be 40 and class be split when 41 students are enrolled. Ourdata cover all fourth to ninth graders in 1,064 public schools in ananonymous prefecture for three years. We find that the effects ofclass-size reduction on academic test scores are small on average, butslightly stronger for students not going to a private tutoring school.We find no evidence that small class size improves non-cognitive skills.Our substantive conclusion does not change when school fixed effectsare controlled.

Suggested Citation

  • Hirotake Ito & Makiko Nakamuro & Shintaro Yamaguchi, 2019. "Effects of Class-Size Reduction, On Cognitive and Non-cognitive Skills," CIRJE F-Series CIRJE-F-1113, CIRJE, Faculty of Economics, University of Tokyo.
    • Handle: RePEc:tky:fseres:2019cf1113
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Naoi, Michio & Akabayashi, Hideo & Nakamura, Ryosuke & Nozaki, Kayo & Sano, Shinpei & Senoh, Wataru & Shikishima, Chizuru, 2021. "Causal effects of family income on educational investment and child outcomes: Evidence from a policy reform in Japan," Journal of the Japanese and International Economies, Elsevier, vol. 60(C).
    2. Ito, Hirotake & Nakamuro, Makiko & Yamaguchi, Shintaro, 2020. "Effects of class-size reduction on cognitive and non-cognitive skills," Japan and the World Economy, Elsevier, vol. 53(C).

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