Publication Bias and Model Uncertainty in Measuring the Effect of Class Size on Achievement

Matej Opatrny, Tomas Havranek, Zuzana Irsova and Milan Ščasný ()

No 18159, CEPR Discussion Papers from C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers

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.

Keywords: Class size; Bayesian model averaging (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: C83 H52 I21 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023-05
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://cepr.org/publications/DP18159 (application/pdf)
CEPR Discussion Papers are free to download for our researchers, subscribers and members. If you fall into one of these categories but have trouble downloading our papers, please contact us at subscribers@cepr.org

Related works:
Working Paper: Publication Bias and Model Uncertainty in Measuring the Effect of Class Size on Achievement (2023)
Working Paper: Publication Bias and Model Uncertainty in Measuring the Effect of Class Size on Achievement (2023)
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:cpr:ceprdp:18159

Ordering information: This working paper can be ordered from
https://cepr.org/publications/DP18159

Access Statistics for this paper

More papers in CEPR Discussion Papers from C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers Centre for Economic Policy Research, 33 Great Sutton Street, London EC1V 0DX.
Bibliographic data for series maintained by ().