How classroom age composition affects pupil achievement: Evidence from multi-grade classes

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IZA Seminar

Place: Schaumburg-Lippe-Str. 9, 53113 Bonn

Date: 04.05.2010, 12:15 - 13:30

   

Presentation by 

Edwin Leuven (University of Oslo)
   

Abstract:

To estimate the impact of age composition on student
achievement we exploit discontinous grade mixing rules in Norwegian lower secondary schools. Using high stake exit tests we find that pupils in heterogeneous classrooms that combine three grades perform slightly better that homogenous single grade classrooms. This effect is mostly driven by 8th grade pupils benefitting from sharing the classroom with more mature peers. We find some indication that the presence of younger peers is detrimental to the achievement of older pupils, but on average the positive effect from being with older pupils outweighs the negative effect of being with younger peers.

   
   
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