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On the test score gap between Roma and non-Roma students in Hungary and its potential causes

Author

Listed:
  • Gabor Kertesi

    (Institute of Economics, Center for Economic and Regional Studies, Hungarian Academy of Sciences)

  • Gabor Kezdi

    (Central European University and Institute of Economics, Center for Economic and Regional Studies, Hungarian Academy of Sciences)

Abstract

Using unique data from Hungary, we assess the gap in standardized test scores between Roma and non-Roma students and show that this gap is comparable to the size of the Black-White test score gap in the United States in the 1980s. The ethnic test score gap in Hungary is nearly entirely explained by social differences in income, wealth and parental education, while ethnic factors do not play an important role. Using reduced-form regressions, we identify two major mediating mechanisms: first, the home environment of Roma children is less favorable for their cognitive development; second, Roma children face a lower quality educational environment. Comparing children with similar home environments from the same school and class, we find that the ethnic gap in test scores is insignificant. Ethnic differences in the home environment are explained by social differences, and ethnicity seems to play no additional role. While their disadvantage in accessing high-quality education is also strongly related to social differences, Roma students seem to face additional disadvantages as subjects of ethnic segregation. The results suggest that in addition to policies designed to alleviate poverty, well-designed interventions influencing these mechanisms can also improve the skill development of Roma and other disadvantaged children.

Suggested Citation

  • Gabor Kertesi & Gabor Kezdi, 2014. "On the test score gap between Roma and non-Roma students in Hungary and its potential causes," Budapest Working Papers on the Labour Market 1401, Institute of Economics, Centre for Economic and Regional Studies.
  • Handle: RePEc:has:bworkp:1401
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    Cited by:

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    2. Anna Adamecz-Völgyi & Ágota Scharle, 2020. "Books or babies? The incapacitation effect of schooling on minority women," Journal of Population Economics, Springer;European Society for Population Economics, vol. 33(4), pages 1219-1261, October.
    3. Rauh, Christopher, 2018. "Decomposing Gaps Between Roma And Non-Roma In Romania," Journal of Demographic Economics, Cambridge University Press, vol. 84(2), pages 209-229, June.
    4. Horn, Dániel & Lindner, Attila, 2022. "Kézdi Gábor (1971-2021) [Gábor Kézdi (1971-2021)]," Közgazdasági Szemle (Economic Review - monthly of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences), Közgazdasági Szemle Alapítvány (Economic Review Foundation), vol. 0(11), pages 1245-1254.
    5. Hajdu Tamás & Kertesi Gábor & Kézdi Gábor, 2019. "Inter-Ethnic Friendship and Hostility between Roma and non-Roma Students in Hungary: The Role of Exposure and Academic Achievement," The B.E. Journal of Economic Analysis & Policy, De Gruyter, vol. 19(1), pages 1-17, January.
    6. Mario Battaglini & Tania Burchardt & Polina Obolenskaya & Polly Vizard, 2018. "Experience of multiple disadvantage among Roma, Gypsy and Traveller children in England and Wales," CASE Papers /208, Centre for Analysis of Social Exclusion, LSE.
    7. Burchardt, Tania & Obolenskaya, Polina & Vizard, Polly & Battaglini, Mario, 2018. "Experience of multiple disadvantage among Roma, Gypsy and Traveller children in England and Wales," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 103529, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    test score gap; Roma minority; Hungary;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I20 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - General
    • J15 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Minorities, Races, Indigenous Peoples, and Immigrants; Non-labor Discrimination

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