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Ethnic school segregation in Copenhagen: A step in the right direction?

Author

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  • Rikke Skovgaard Nielsen

    (Aalborg University, Denmark)

  • Hans Thor Andersen

    (Aalborg University, Denmark)

Abstract

The Danish school system is based on a general belief in the quality and merits of public schooling. Until 20 years ago, more than 90% of all children attended public school. However, this trend has recently seen a decline because of rising spatial inequalities; nowhere is this more visible than in the major cities, particularly Copenhagen. One visible change has been the rise in the number of children with non-Danish backgrounds in public schools in major cities. Previous studies of Copenhagen showed that, while the level of ethnic residential segregation was moderate, the level of school segregation was remarkably high. The purpose of this paper is to revisit the case of Copenhagen through: (a) quantitatively identifying the level of ethnic school segregation in Copenhagen and the change over the last decade, and (b) qualitatively analysing the considerations regarding the school choice of parents in an ethnically diverse district. The paper identifies decreasing levels of ethnic school segregation in public schools but a markedly higher and increasing level in private schools. The qualitative material points to still-existing concerns regarding specific public schools with high proportions of pupils of non-Danish backgrounds as well as to parents who choose to overlook such concerns and opt for the local public school.

Suggested Citation

  • Rikke Skovgaard Nielsen & Hans Thor Andersen, 2019. "Ethnic school segregation in Copenhagen: A step in the right direction?," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 56(15), pages 3234-3250, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:urbstu:v:56:y:2019:i:15:p:3234-3250
    DOI: 10.1177/0042098019847625
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Simon Burgess & Deborah Wilson & Ruth Lupton, 2005. "Parallel Lives? Ethnic Segregation in Schools and Neighbourhoods," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 42(7), pages 1027-1056, June.
    2. Stephen Gibbons & Shqiponja Telhaj, 2007. "Are Schools Drifting Apart? Intake Stratification in English Secondary Schools," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 44(7), pages 1281-1305, June.
    3. Rebecca Allen, 2007. "Allocating Pupils to Their Nearest Secondary School: The Consequences for Social and Ability Stratification," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 44(4), pages 751-770, April.
    4. Ron Johnston & Simon Burgess & Deborah Wilson & Richard Harris, 2006. "School and Residential Ethnic Segregation: An Analysis of Variations across England's Local Education Authorities," Regional Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 40(9), pages 973-990.
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    Cited by:

    1. Willem Boterman & Sako Musterd & Carolina Pacchi & Costanzo Ranci, 2019. "School segregation in contemporary cities: Socio-spatial dynamics, institutional context and urban outcomes," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 56(15), pages 3055-3073, November.

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