Small-group instruction to improve student performance in mathematics in early grades: Results from a randomized field experiment

A-Tier
Journal: Journal of Public Economics
Year: 2022
Volume: 216
Issue: C

Authors (9)

Bonesrønning, Hans (not in RePEc) Finseraas, Henning (not in RePEc) Hardoy, Ines Iversen, Jon Marius Vaag (not in RePEc) Nyhus, Ole Henning (Norges teknisk-naturvitenskapl...) Opheim, Vibeke (not in RePEc) Salvanes, Kari Vea (not in RePEc) Sandsør, Astrid Marie Jorde (Universitetet i Oslo, Institut...) Schøne, Pål (not in RePEc)

Score contribution per author:

0.447 = (α=2.01 / 9 authors) × 2.0x A-tier

α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count

Abstract

We investigate whether small-group instruction improves student performance in mathematics in the early grades using a large-scale RCT covering 159 Norwegian schools over four years. The students − 7–9 years old - are pulled out from their regular mathematics classes into small, homogenous groups of 4–6 students for mathematics instruction for 3 to 4 h per week, for two periods of 4–6 weeks per school year. Unlike many other recent tutoring experiments, all students are pulled out, not only struggling students. In our intention-to-treat analysis, we find that students in treatment schoolsincreased their performance by0.06of a standard deviation in national tests, with no differential effect by baseline test score level, parental education, or gender. Our study is particularly relevant for policy-makers seeking to use additional teaching resources to target a heterogeneous student population efficiently.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:eee:pubeco:v:216:y:2022:i:c:s0047272722001670
Journal Field
Public
Author Count
9
Added to Database
2026-01-25