Attendance Rates and Academic Achievement: Do Attendance Policies and Class Size Effects Impact Student Performance?

Abstract

This paper investigates the impact of a mandatory attendance policy on student grades. Data collected from 301 students in microeconomics principles classes taught by the same instructor are used to estimate performance. The empirical analysis controls for the endogeneity of attendance rates and class size. Results indicate that GPA prior to taking the course and SAT scores are consistent predictors of student performance, even after accounting for student withdrawals. In addition, attendance rates are not found to be significant indicators of exam grades after accounting for simultaneity. Since class size and the attendance policy do not appear to influence grades, it is suggested that instructors encourage, but not mandate attendance in both small and large lecture settings.

JEL Classification: A2, A22