Upcoming workshop

明治大学政治経済学部経済学科・明治大学EBPM研究センター共催

April 10,  2025 (Friday)  15:30-17:00, JST

Venue: 明治大学駿河台キャンパス　リバティタワー13階1134教室にて開催 

Room 1134, 13th Floor, Liberty Tower, Meiji University Surugadai Campus

※2026年度より会場が明治大学となっております

Guest Speaker：中室牧子 (慶應義塾大学)

Title：Subject Specialization and Student Achievement: Evidence from a Cluster-Randomized Experiment in Elementary Schools

Abstract: We estimate the causal effect of subject specialization in elementary schools using a cluster- randomized experiment in Japan. Assigning part-time science specialists increases science achievement by 0.18 standard deviations and mathematics by 0.13 standard deviations, while mathematics specialization yields no gains. The asymmetry reflects comparative advantage. Student achievement is strongly linked to homeroom teachers’subject expertise, and reallocat- ing instruction away from high-expertise teachers attenuates returns. Effects are largest in science, where teachers report low subject confidence and experienced retired specialists were deployed. We find no evidence of increased coordination costs or deterioration in teacher– student relationships. The intervention is substantially more cost-effective than class size re- duction. Targeted specialization improves learning when aligned with teacher comparative advantage and subject-specific skill constraints.