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Are Middle Schools Good for Student Academic Achievement? Evidence from Ontario

Author

Listed:
  • David R. Johnson

    (Wilfrid Laurier University)

Abstract

In neighbourhoods with falling student populations, policymakers should place a priority on closing middle schools and, elsewhere, avoid opening new ones. In this report, the author shows that middle school attendance increases the chance that students will fail provincially administered achievement tests, compared to similar students who stay in the same school through Grade 8. The report concludes that in regions with falling student populations, policymakers should place a priority on closing middle schools and, elsewhere, avoid opening new ones.

Suggested Citation

  • David R. Johnson, 2012. "Are Middle Schools Good for Student Academic Achievement? Evidence from Ontario," e-briefs 141, C.D. Howe Institute.
    • Handle: RePEc:cdh:ebrief:141
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    File URL: https://www.cdhowe.org/public-policy-research/are-middle-schools-good-student-academic-achievement-evidence-ontario
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Elizabeth Dhuey, 2013. "Middle school or junior high? How grade‐level configurations affect academic achievement," Canadian Journal of Economics/Revue canadienne d'économique, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 46(2), pages 469-496, May.
    2. Rockoff, Jonah E. & Lockwood, Benjamin B., 2010. "Stuck in the middle: Impacts of grade configuration in public schools," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 94(11-12), pages 1051-1061, December.
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    Cited by:

    1. Adam Found & Peter Tomlinson, 2012. "Hiding in Plain Sight: The Harmful Impact of Provincial Business Property Taxes," C.D. Howe Institute Commentary, C.D. Howe Institute, issue 368, December.
    2. David Johnson & Huijie Guo, 2017. "How Concerned Should We Be About Differing Fundraising Capabilities and School Results? The Toronto District School Board Example," e-briefs 252, C.D. Howe Institute.
    3. Brian Facey & Joshua Krane, 2017. "Promoting Innovation and Efficiencies through Changes to the Competition Bureau’s Merger Review Process," e-briefs 254, C.D. Howe Institute.
    4. Finn Poschmann & Philippe Bergevin, 2013. "Reining in the Risks: Rethinking the Role of Crown Financial Corporations in Canada," C.D. Howe Institute Commentary, C.D. Howe Institute, issue 372, February.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Social Policy; Ontario; Canada; middle schools; elementary schools; provincial achievement tests;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I28 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Government Policy
    • H75 - Public Economics - - State and Local Government; Intergovernmental Relations - - - State and Local Government: Health, Education, and Welfare

    NEP fields

    This paper has been announced in the following NEP Reports:

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