TY  - RPRT
        AU  - Borbely, Daniel
AU  - Gehrsitz, Markus
AU  - McIntyre, Stuart
AU  - Rossi, Gennaro
AU  - Roy, Graeme
        TI  - Early-Years Multi-Grade Classes and Pupil Attainment
        PY  - 2021/Aug/
        PB  - Institute of Labor Economics (IZA)
        CY  - Bonn
        T2  - IZA Discussion Paper
        IS  - 14678
        UR  - https://www.iza.org/publications/dp14678
        AB  - We study the effect of exposure to older, more experienced classroom peers resulting from the widespread use of multi-grade classes in Scottish primary schools. For identification, we exploit that a class-planning algorithm quasi-randomly assigns groups of pupils to multi-grade classes. We find that school-starters benefit from exposure to second-graders in measures of numeracy and literacy. 
We find no evidence that these gains are driven by smaller class sizes or more parental input. While short-lived, these benefits accrue independent of socioeconomic background, to boys and girls alike, and do not come at the expense of older peers from the preceding cohort.
        KW  - multi-grade classes
KW  - peer effects
KW  - class-size
KW  - cognitive skills
        ER  -