The impact of school provision on pupil attendance: evidence from the early 20th century

Elementary schooling in North America in the early 20th century underwent major changes with the spread of graded schools with multiple classrooms and teachers to semi-urban and rural areas. Detailed schooling records from British Columbia indicate that pupil attendance responded strongly to the introduction of additional teachers in one-room schools. The attendance impact of grading a school dominated alternatives such as employing more highly qualified teachers, or building additional schools to reduce catchment areas. Changes in the provision of schooling can account for about a quarter of the 30 percentage point increase in attendance rates between 1900 and 1930.