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Quasi-experimental Estimates of the Effect of Class Size on Achievement in Norway

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  • Edwin Leuven
  • Hessel Oosterbeek
  • Marte Rønning

Abstract

Using a comprehensive Norwegian administrative database, we exploit independent quasi-experimental methods to estimate the effect of class size on student achievement at the end of lower-secondary school. Identification based on maximum class-size rules and population variation (and variations on these methods) give very similar estimates. We cannot reject that the class-size effect is equal to zero, and can rule out effects as small as 1.5 percent of a standard deviation for a one-student change in class size during three consecutive years. Copyright © The editors of the "Scandinavian Journal of Economics" 2008 .

Suggested Citation

  • Edwin Leuven & Hessel Oosterbeek & Marte Rønning, 2008. "Quasi-experimental Estimates of the Effect of Class Size on Achievement in Norway," Scandinavian Journal of Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 110(4), pages 663-693, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:scandj:v:110:y:2008:i:4:p:663-693
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    JEL classification:

    • I2 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education

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