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Tracking and specialization of high schools: heterogeneous effects of school choice

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  • Olivier de Groote

    (TSE-R - Toulouse School of Economics - UT Capitole - Université Toulouse Capitole - UT - Université de Toulouse - EHESS - École des hautes études en sciences sociales - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique - INRAE - Institut National de Recherche pour l’Agriculture, l’Alimentation et l’Environnement)

  • Koen Declercq

    (CEREC - Centre de recherche en économie - Université Saint-Louis - Bruxelles)

Abstract

We analyze the impact of choosing an elite school on high school graduation in an early tracking system in Flanders (Belgium). Whereas elite schools offer only an academic track, most other schools offer multiple tracks. On average, students experience a 3.3 percentage point increase in the likelihood of obtaining a degree. We find that the effects are heterogeneous. On average, students who self-select into elite schools do not experience an effect. However, students who do not choose an elite school would experience positive effects. Our results can be explained by different tracking decisions in both types of schools.

Suggested Citation

  • Olivier de Groote & Koen Declercq, 2021. "Tracking and specialization of high schools: heterogeneous effects of school choice," Post-Print hal-03537880, HAL.
    • Handle: RePEc:hal:journl:hal-03537880
    DOI: 10.1002/jae.2856
    Note: View the original document on HAL open archive server: https://hal.science/hal-03537880
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    Cited by:

    1. Landaud, Fanny & Maurin, Eric, 2022. "Tracking When Ranking Matters," IZA Discussion Papers 15157, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    2. De Groote, Olivier, 2019. "Dynamic Effort Choice in High School: Costs and Benefits of an Academic Track," TSE Working Papers 19-1002, Toulouse School of Economics (TSE), revised Jun 2023.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Elite schools; Early tracking; Marginal treatment effects;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C31 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Multiple or Simultaneous Equation Models; Multiple Variables - - - Cross-Sectional Models; Spatial Models; Treatment Effect Models; Quantile Regressions; Social Interaction Models
    • I28 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Government Policy

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