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On Grade Option Choice and Grade Performance Expectation When Instruction Goes Virtual – The Role of Peers at a Distance

Author

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  • Basu, Arnab K.

    (Cornell University)

  • Chau, Nancy H.

    (Cornell University)

  • Wang, Yudi

    (Cornell University)

Abstract

Campus closures due to COVID19 created uneven student-level exposures to the challenges of home-based virtual learning. Using university administrative data, and exogenous class-level differences in pre-pandemic on-campus housing assignments for parallel trend validation, this paper unpacks student-by-course variations in grade expectations using within-semester switches in grade option choice as a lens. We find causal evidence that distance from campus and internet access affected grade option choices in select student groups (female, non-URM, non-STEM). By tracking access to friends at the student-course level using administrative records, we find that within-class peer support can offset learning challenges even in virtual environments.

Suggested Citation

  • Basu, Arnab K. & Chau, Nancy H. & Wang, Yudi, 2025. "On Grade Option Choice and Grade Performance Expectation When Instruction Goes Virtual – The Role of Peers at a Distance," IZA Discussion Papers 17599, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp17599
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    satisfactory/unsatisfactory grade option; COVID-19; distance education; learning outcomes;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I20 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - General
    • I29 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Other

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