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The effect of free primary school choice on ethnic groups — Evidence from a policy reform

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  • Schneider, Kerstin
  • Schuchart, Claudia
  • Weishaupt, Horst
  • Riedel, Andrea

Abstract

In 2008, school catchment areas were abolished in North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW), the most populous German federal state. Critics have argued that free school choice will lead to increased segregation and educational disparities. The data used is from Wuppertal, a major city in NRW. Since the Turkish population is the largest minority in Germany, but also one of the least integrated, the focus of this paper is on the effect of the new school law on the school choice of Turkish (Muslim) versus non-Turkish (non-Muslim) families. Free school choice has led, in fact, to increased choice on the part of both advantaged and (to a lesser extent) disadvantaged families. Motives behind choice include proximity and the academic quality of the school. The effect of this increased choice on segregation is inconclusive.

Suggested Citation

  • Schneider, Kerstin & Schuchart, Claudia & Weishaupt, Horst & Riedel, Andrea, 2012. "The effect of free primary school choice on ethnic groups — Evidence from a policy reform," European Journal of Political Economy, Elsevier, vol. 28(4), pages 430-444.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:poleco:v:28:y:2012:i:4:p:430-444
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ejpoleco.2012.05.002
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    Cited by:

    1. Anna Makles & Kerstin Schneider, 2016. "Quiet Please! Adverse Effects of Noise on Child Development," CESifo Working Paper Series 6281, CESifo.
    2. Anna Makles & Kerstin Schneider, 2017. "Extracurricular educational programs and school readiness: evidence from a quasi-experiment with preschool children," Empirical Economics, Springer, vol. 52(4), pages 1181-1204, June.
    3. Alexandra Schwarz & Stefan Brauckmann, 2015. "Between facts and perceptions: The area close to school as a context factor in school leadership," Schumpeter Discussion Papers SDP15003, Universitätsbibliothek Wuppertal, University Library.
    4. Thomas Maloutas & Isabel Ramos Lobato, 2015. "Education and social reproduction: Educational mechanisms and residential segregation in Athens and Dortmund," Local Economy, London South Bank University, vol. 30(7), pages 800-817, November.
    5. Arthuer Bauer et Rohen d'AIGLEPIERRE, 2017. "Explaining the Development of Private Education: the Effect of Public Expenditure on Education," Working Paper 237926bf-0d6f-4396-b47e-9, Agence française de développement.
    6. Fabella, Vigile Marie, 2017. "Political-economic determinants of education reform: Evidence on interest groups and student outcomes," European Journal of Political Economy, Elsevier, vol. 48(C), pages 144-161.
    7. Claudia Schuchart & Kerstin Schneider & Horst Weishaupt & Andrea Riedel, 2011. "Welchen Einfluss hat die Wohnumgebung auf die Grundschulwahl von Eltern? Analysen zur Bedeutung von kontextuellen und familiären Merkmalen auf das Wahlverhalten," Schumpeter Discussion Papers sdp11009, Universitätsbibliothek Wuppertal, University Library.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Educational policy reform; School catchment areas; School choice; Segregation;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I20 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - General
    • H75 - Public Economics - - State and Local Government; Intergovernmental Relations - - - State and Local Government: Health, Education, and Welfare
    • J15 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Minorities, Races, Indigenous Peoples, and Immigrants; Non-labor Discrimination

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