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The Effect of Class Size on Grades and Course Evaluations:: Evidence from Multi-section Courses

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  • A.O. Karas

Abstract

Using rich administrative data from a small Dutch liberal arts college, I study how the number of students enrolled in a course affects student grades and course evaluations. To identify the causal effect I exploit variation in class size across parallel sections of the same course taught by the same instructor in the same semester. I show that class size has a stronger negative effect on student grades in mandatory courses compared to electives. I show similar results for various components of student course evaluations: perceived overall course quality, perceived amount learned, student participation and engagement. I interpret these findings to be consistent with class size affecting educational outcomes through student engagement.

Suggested Citation

  • A.O. Karas, 2019. "The Effect of Class Size on Grades and Course Evaluations:: Evidence from Multi-section Courses," Working Papers 19-03, Utrecht School of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:use:tkiwps:1903
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    1. Alexei Karas, 2021. "The effect of class size on grades and course evaluations: Evidence from multisection courses," Bulletin of Economic Research, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 73(4), pages 624-642, October.
    2. Michael Gove, 2019. "Student engagement and larger class enrollments: evidence from a growing mid-sized university," Economics Bulletin, AccessEcon, vol. 39(4), pages 2550-2565.
    3. Kathleen D. Dyer & Dermot Donnelly-Hermosillo, 2024. "Student Ratings of Instruction: Updating Measures to Reflect Recent Scholarship," Research in Higher Education, Springer;Association for Institutional Research, vol. 65(7), pages 1587-1613, November.

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    Keywords

    Class size; Grades; Course evaluations; Student engagement;
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