How Can Classroom Rank Affect Students in Later Life?

Many factors in early years’ education can have lasting effects. In this video, FELIX WEINHARDT analyzes the impact that a student’s rank position in the elementary school classroom can have in later life. Working with data from England and Texas, Weinhardt observes that a student’s rank position at the top, middle or bottom of their elementary school class, along with shifts in that position, can affect not only test scores and subject choice but, potentially, also, college attendance and earnings. The research provides an important starting point for further work on how we can best organize our schools and classrooms to bring about overall gains.