In this study, we attempt to estimate the causal effect of class size on pupils’ performance using the data from Italian public primary schools. Since in 2008/09, primary schools in Italy were subject to the maximum class size of 25 pupils, we observe a discontinuous relation between class size and enrolment that we exploit to estimate the class-size effect on pupils’ performance in the context of regression discontinuity design (RD). Using a standard fuzzy RD model, we focus on the pupils whose schools are in the small intervals around cutoff values of enrolment. Though we do not find a clear evidence supporting class-size reduction policy, we observe that class size is largely used in Italian public primary schools as a kind of compensatory policy.
The Causal Effect of Class Size on Pupils’ Performance: Evidence from Italian Primary Schools
RUSSO, FELICE
2012-01-01
Abstract
In this study, we attempt to estimate the causal effect of class size on pupils’ performance using the data from Italian public primary schools. Since in 2008/09, primary schools in Italy were subject to the maximum class size of 25 pupils, we observe a discontinuous relation between class size and enrolment that we exploit to estimate the class-size effect on pupils’ performance in the context of regression discontinuity design (RD). Using a standard fuzzy RD model, we focus on the pupils whose schools are in the small intervals around cutoff values of enrolment. Though we do not find a clear evidence supporting class-size reduction policy, we observe that class size is largely used in Italian public primary schools as a kind of compensatory policy.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
