CSR Miami: Effect of Class Size Reduction in Florida

CSR Miami: Effect of Class Size Reduction in Florida

• Industry Assistant Professor of Public Administration Alan Secor

Abstract:

Using an event study model, I find the effect of class size reduction (CSR) on achievement in Florida schools. Treated districts that reduced average class size from 2004 to 2006 outperformed control districts in achievement for fourth–eighth graders. The effects are robust to funding controls. CSR increased reading and math scores by around 0.1 and 0.2 standard deviations. Preliminary results for CSR from 2007 to 2010 show possible long-term effects of CSR in pre-kindergarten–third grade on fourth–eighth grade scores. Using estimates of the association between test scores and lifetime earnings, I can estimate the benefit to students from CSR.

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