Discussion Papers 2019

CIRJE-F-1113	"Effects of Class-Size Reduction, On Cognitive and Non-cognitive Skills"
Author Name	Ito, Hirotake, Makiko Nakamuro and Shintaro Yamaguchi
Date	January 2019
Full Paper	PDF file
Remarks

Abstract
We estimate the effects of class-size reduction by exploiting exogenous variation caused by Maimonides’ rule that requires the maximum class size be 40 and class be split when 41 students are enrolled. Our data cover all fourth to ninth graders in 1,064 public schools in an anonymous prefecture for three years. We find that the effects of class-size reduction on academic test scores are small on average, but slightly 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 effects are controlled.

Abstract

We estimate the effects of class-size reduction by exploiting exogenous variation caused by Maimonides’ rule that requires the maximum class size be 40 and class be split when 41 students are enrolled. Our data cover all fourth to ninth graders in 1,064 public schools in an anonymous prefecture for three years. We find that the effects of class-size reduction on academic test scores are small on average, but slightly 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 effects are controlled.