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Explaining the Performance Gap Between Public and Private School Students

Author

Listed:
  • Kevin C. Duncan

    () (Colorado State University - Pueblo)

  • Jonathan Sandy

    (University of San Diego)

Abstract

Data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Labor Market Experience for Youth are used to estimate the private school test score advantage. Regression results indicate that those who attend private schools score higher on the Armed Forces Qualifications Test. However, this advantage loses statistical significance with controls for family and school background. Decomposition of the private-public test score difference indicates that 78 percent of the gap can be explained by differences in average characteristics. Broken down further, 45 percent of the gap is due to differences in family background and 26 percent is due to differences in school quality.

Suggested Citation

  • Kevin C. Duncan & Jonathan Sandy, 2007. "Explaining the Performance Gap Between Public and Private School Students," Eastern Economic Journal, Eastern Economic Association, vol. 33(2), pages 177-191, Spring.
    • Handle: RePEc:eej:eeconj:v:33:y:2007:i:2:p:177-191
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    File URL: http://web.holycross.edu/RePEc/eej/Archive/Volume33/V33N2P177_191.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Reilee L. Berger & John V. Winters, 2016. "Does Private Schooling Increase Adult Earnings? Cohort-Level Evidence for U.S. States," The Review of Regional Studies, Southern Regional Science Association, vol. 46(3), pages 281-294, Winter.
    2. Kevin Duncan & Jonathan Sandy, 2013. "Using the Blinder-Oaxaca Decomposition Method to Measure Racial Bias in Achievement Tests," The Review of Black Political Economy, Springer;National Economic Association, vol. 40(2), pages 185-206, June.
    3. Botezat Alina, 2012. "Decomposing The Gap In School Achievement Between Finland And Romania '" Some Methodological Aspects," Annals of Faculty of Economics, University of Oradea, Faculty of Economics, vol. 1(2), pages 165-171, December.
    4. Gevrek, Z. Eylem & Seiberlich, Ruben R., 2014. "Semiparametric decomposition of the gender achievement gap: An application for Turkey," Labour Economics, Elsevier, vol. 31(C), pages 27-44.
    5. Alina Botezat & Ruben R. Seiberlich, 2013. "Educational performance gaps in Eastern Europe," The Economics of Transition, The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, vol. 21(4), pages 731-756, October.
    6. Debra Shepherd, 2013. "A question of efficiency: decomposing South African reading test scores using PIRLS 2006," Working Papers 20/2013, Stellenbosch University, Department of Economics.

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