An instrumental variables approach to assess the effect of class size reduction on student screen time. (March 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Cohen, Alison K.
• Is Part Of: Social science & medicine. Volume 201(2018)
• Page Start: 63
• Page End: 70
• Publication Date: 2018-03
• Subjects: USA -- Child -- Health behavior -- Quasi-experimental studies -- Schools -- Sedentary lifestyle -- Social determinants of health; Social medicine -- Periodicals; Medical anthropology -- Periodicals; Public health -- Periodicals; Psychology -- Periodicals; Medicine -- Periodicals; Medicine -- Periodicals; Médecine sociale -- Périodiques; Anthropologie médicale -- Périodiques; Santé publique -- Périodiques; Psychologie -- Périodiques; Médecine -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 362.105
• DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2018.02.005
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0277-9536

Abstract

Abstract: An emerging area of research considers links between characteristics of the school setting and health. The existing small evidence base assessing the association between class size and health is inconclusive. This quasi-experimental study uses an instrumental variables approach based on North Carolina's elementary class size reduction policy to assess the relationship between class size and student screen time. Specifically, data are from public school students in North Carolina, USA, who were in 3rd grade any time between fall 2005 and spring 2011. There was no association between class size and screen time (measured as recreational television and/or electronic device use), after accounting for grade size and school size, year fixed effects, and clustering at the school and district level. These findings suggest that, in statewide policy implementation settings, there may not be any immediate spillover benefits of class size reduction policies on student screen time. Highlights: Characteristics of the school setting can affect health. The evidence on effects of class size on health is inconclusive. This study uses an instrumental variables approach in a North Carolina population. The instrumental variable assumes strict implementation of NC's class size policy. Elementary class size is not associated with screen time among North Carolina kids.