Attendance and Achievement in Economics:Investigating the Impact of Attendance Policies and Absentee Rates on Student Performance

Authors

Abstract

This paper investigates the impact of a mandatory attendance policy and absentee rates on student grades. Data collected from four sections of microeconomic principles classes taught by the same instructor are used to estimate performance. Results are found to be robust to corrections for survival bias and endogeneity, and indicate that the attendance policy did not impact grades. GPA prior to taking the course and SAT scores are found to be consistent predictors of performance and have a stronger impact on grades as compared to absentee rates. It is suggested that instructors encourage, but not mandate attendance in both small and large lecture settings.

Recommended Citation

(2005) "Attendance and Achievement in Economics:Investigating the Impact of Attendance Policies and Absentee Rates on Student Performance," Journal of Economics and Finance Education: Vol. 4: Iss. 2, Article 4.
Available at: https://scholarship.rollins.edu/jefe/vol4/iss2/4