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Preference heterogeneity and school segregation

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  • Oosterbeek, Hessel
  • Sóvágó, Sándor
  • van der Klaauw, Bas

Abstract

This paper examines heterogeneity of school preferences between ethnic and social groups and quantifies the importance of this heterogeneity for school segregation. We use rich data from the secondary-school match in Amsterdam. Our key findings are that heterogeneity of preferences for schools is substantial and that 40% of school segregation by ethnicity and close to 25% of school segregation by household income, can be attributed to it. Ability tracking is the other main determinant of school segregation. Results from policy simulations indicate that minority quotas reduce segregation within ability tracks considerably, but this comes at the cost of many students receiving less-preferred assignments and a higher share of unassigned students.

Suggested Citation

  • Oosterbeek, Hessel & Sóvágó, Sándor & van der Klaauw, Bas, 2021. "Preference heterogeneity and school segregation," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 197(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:pubeco:v:197:y:2021:i:c:s0047272721000360
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jpubeco.2021.104400
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Friperson, Rafiq & Oosterbeek, Hessel & van der Klaauw, Bas, 2023. "The Hidden Divide: School Segregation of Teachers in the Netherlands," CEPR Discussion Papers 18292, Centre for Economic Policy Research.
    3. Klein, Thilo & Aue, Robert & Ortega, Josué, 2024. "School choice with independent versus consolidated districts," Games and Economic Behavior, Elsevier, vol. 147(C), pages 170-205.
    4. Laverde, Mariana & Mykerezi, Elton & Sojourner, Aaron & Sood, Aradhya, 2025. "Gains from Alternative Assignment? Evidence from a Two-Sided Teacher Market," IZA Discussion Papers 17696, IZA Network @ LISER.
    5. Maria Zumbuehl & Nihal Chehber & Rik Dillingh, 2025. "Can skills differences explain the gap in track recommendation by socio-economic status?," Education Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 33(2), pages 161-179, March.
    6. Han, Xiang, 2024. "On the efficiency and fairness of deferred acceptance with single tie-breaking," Journal of Economic Theory, Elsevier, vol. 218(C).
    7. De Groote, Olivier & Rho, Minyoung, 2024. "Matching Disadvantaged Children to Day Care: Evidence from a Centralized Platform," IZA Discussion Papers 17547, IZA Network @ LISER.
    8. Hessel Oosterbeek & Tina Rozsos & Bas van der Klaauw, 2025. "School choice, school switching, and optimal assignment," RFBerlin Discussion Paper Series 25159, ROCKWOOL Foundation Berlin (RFBerlin).

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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • I21 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Analysis of Education
    • I24 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Education and Inequality
    • I28 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Government Policy

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