This paper presents new evidence on the effects of attendance on academic performance. We exploit a large panel data … with attendance, such as ability, effort and motivation. We find that neither proxy variables nor instrumental variables … provide a viable solution to the omitted variable bias. Panel estimators indicate that attendance has a positive and …

Romer (1993) suggests that universities should undertake experiments that would test the value of mandatory attendance … attendance.” This conclusion is likely to be welcomed by some economics professors. In this note, I address two issues. First …, what does prior research imply about a relationship between attendance and learning? Second, does Romer’s own evidence …