The Impact of Alternative Grade Configurations on Student Outcomes Through Middle and High School

50 Pages Posted: 24 Dec 2011

See all articles by Guido Schwerdt

Guido Schwerdt

University of Konstanz - Faculty of Economics and Statistics

Martin R. West

Harvard Graduate School of Education

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Abstract

We use statewide administrative data from Florida to estimate the impact of attending public schools with different grade configurations on student achievement through grade 10. Based on an instrumental variable estimation strategy, we find that students moving from elementary to middle school suffer a sharp drop in student achievement in the transition year. These achievement drops persist through grade 10. We also find that middle school entry increases student absences and is associated with higher grade 10 dropout rates. Transitions to high school in grade nine cause a smaller one-time drop in achievement but do not alter students' performance trajectories.

Keywords: educational production, public schools, grade configuration, middle schools, high schools

JEL Classification: H52, I21, I28

Suggested Citation

Schwerdt, Guido and West, Martin R., The Impact of Alternative Grade Configurations on Student Outcomes Through Middle and High School. IZA Discussion Paper No. 6208, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1976539 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.1976539

Guido Schwerdt (Contact Author)

University of Konstanz - Faculty of Economics and Statistics ( email )

Universitaetsstr. 10
78457 Konstanz
Germany

Martin R. West

Harvard Graduate School of Education ( email )

6 Appian Way
Cambridge, MA 02138
United States

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