Optimum class size. Testing lazear’s theorem with intermediate mathematics scores in Polish secondary schools

• Authors: Marek Biernacki , Wiktor Ejsmont
• Languages of publication: EN

Abstracts

EN

The paper is directed at testing Lazear’s proposition which argues that educational outcome depends on the non-uniformity of distribution of knowledge and skills of students and on class size. Lazear asserts that students’ performance achieves its maximum when students are segregated by skills and behaviour. Using the 2010 data (mathematics scores in gimnazjum and maturity exams), we corroborate this theorem. We also demonstrate that improved teaching conditions in Polish primary schools and gimnazjums, i.e. lower class sizes, better salaries of teachers and higher unit costs did not result in an increased educational outcome as measured by the final examination scores in primary and secondary schools between 2006 and 2011.

Keywords

EN

efficiency of teaching mathematics; class size; non-uniformity of knowledge distribution in class

• Publisher: Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu Ekonomicznego we Wrocławiu
• Journal: Didactics of Mathematics
• Year: 2012
• Issue: 9(13)
• Pages: 15-24

Contributors

author

Marek Biernacki

author

Wiktor Ejsmont

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