Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/286348 
Year of Publication: 
2023
Series/Report no.: 
IES Working Paper No. 19/2023
Publisher: 
Charles University in Prague, Institute of Economic Studies (IES), Prague
Abstract: 
Class size reduction mandates are frequent and invariably justified by studies reporting positive effects on student achievement. Yet other studies report no effects, and the literature as a whole awaits correction for potential publication bias. Moreover, if identification drives results systematically, the relevance of individual studies will vary. We build a sample of 1,767 estimates collected from 62 studies and for each estimate codify 42 factors reflecting estimation context. We employ recently developed nonlinear techniques for publication bias correction and Bayesian model averaging techniques that address model uncertainty. The results suggest publication bias among studies featured in top five economics journals, but not elsewhere. The implied class size effect is zero for all identification approaches except Tennessee's Student/Teacher Achievement Ratio project. The effect remains zero for disadvantaged students and across subjects, school types, and countries.
Subjects: 
Class size
student learning
meta-analysis
publication bias
Bayesian model averaging
JEL: 
C83
H52
I21
Document Type: 
Working Paper

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