In a small moment Class size and moral hazard in the Italian mezzogiorno
Instrumental variables (IV ) estimates show strong class-size effects in Southern Italy. But Italy's Mezzogiorno is distinguished by manipulation of standardized test scores as well as by economic disadvantage. IV estimates suggest small classes increase manipulation. We argue that score manipu...
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Published in | American economic journal. Applied economics Vol. 9; no. 4; pp. 216 - 249 |
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Main Authors | , , |
Format | Journal Article |
Language | English |
Published |
American Economic Association
01.10.2017
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Subjects | |
Online Access | Get full text |
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Summary: | Instrumental variables (IV ) estimates show strong class-size effects in Southern Italy. But Italy's Mezzogiorno is distinguished by manipulation of standardized test scores as well as by economic disadvantage. IV estimates suggest small classes increase manipulation. We argue that score manipulation is a consequence of teacher shirking. IV estimates of a causal model for achievement as a function of class size and score manipulation show that class-size effects on measured achievement are driven entirely by the relationship between class size and manipulation. These results illustrate how consequential score manipulation can arise even in assessment systems with few accountability concerns. (JEL D82, H75, I21, I26, I28, J24, R23) |
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ISSN: | 1945-7790 1945-7782 1945-7790 |
DOI: | 10.1257/app.20160267 |