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Visible Learning™
Visible Learning MetaX
Version 1.4 – Updated February 2026

Multi-grade / age classes

Overview

  • Influence: Multi-grade / age classes
  • Domain: Classroom
  • Sub-Domain: Class composition effects
  • Potential to Accelerate Student Achievement: Likely to have a small positive impact
  • Influence Definition: Classes in which students of multiple ages or grade levels share the same learning space, although students retain their respective grade-level assignments. While these classes are typically formed administratively by schools coping with declining enrolments or funding, some studies have shown that transitioning to a multi-grade or multi-age classroom does not adversely affect absences, tardiness, or academic achievement.

Evidence

  • Number of meta-analyses: 2
  • Number of studies: 18
  • Number of students: 66,471
  • Number of effects: 50
  • Weighted mean effect size: 0.01
  • Robustness index: 2

Meta-Analyses

Meta-Analyses
Journal Title Author Article Name Year Published Variable Number of Studies Number of Students Number of Effects Effect Size
Review of Educational Research Veenman Effects of multigrade and multi-age classes reconsidered 1996 Multiage classes 11 4,004 10 0.03
Review of Educational Research Veenman Effects of multigrade and multi-age classes reconsidered 1996 Multigrade classes 7 62,467 40 -0.02
TOTAL/AVERAGE 18 66,471 50 0.00
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