| Title | Does Class Size Matter? How, and at What Cost? |
|---|---|
| Date | 2019年12月11日（水） December 11, 10:30-12:00 |
| Venue | 東京大学学術交流棟（小島ホール）１階・第２セミナー室
[地図] Seminar Room No. 2, Economics Research Annex (Kojima Hall), University of Tokyo [MAP] |
| Speaker | Kala Krishna (Pennsylvania State University) |
| Abstract | Using high quality administrative data on Greece we show that class size has a hump shaped effect on achievement. We do so both nonparametrically and parametrically, while controlling for potential endogeneity and allowing for quantile effects. We then embed our estimates for this relationship in a dynamic structural model with costs of hiring and firing. We argue that the linear specification form used in past work may be why it found mixed results. Our work suggests that while discrete reductions in class size may have mixed effects, discrete increases are likely to have very negative effects while marginal changes in class size would have small negative effects. We find optimal class sizes around 27 in the absence of adjustment costs and achievement maximizing ones around 15, and ring costs much larger than hiring costs consistent with the presence of unions. Despite this, reducing ring costs actually reduces achievement. Reducing hiring costs raises achievement and reduces class size. We show that class size caps are costly, and more so for small schools, even when set at levels well above average. |
| Information | 英語での発表となります（Presentation in English） 主催：Empirical Micro Research Seminar |