Academic, Demographic and Spatial Factors in the Classroom Affecting Student Performance in Principles of Agricultural Economics Courses

This study examines academic, demographic, and anisotropic spatial factors in the classroom affecting student performance in principles of economics courses at a major Land Grand institution in the Midwest. Factors were identified that impact performance on exams, overall performance in the course, and anisotropic spatial relationships in the classroom were explored to determine if students’ peers and seating choice affect their performance. Results indicated that being female, currently enrolled hours for the semester, haven taken algebra, being an agricultural economics major, class status, seating location, GPA, and homework scores all affected student performance as some point in time during the sample period