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Raising aspirations and higher education: evidence from the UK’s Widening Participation policy

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  • Lucia Rizzica

    (Bank of Italy)

Abstract

This paper investigates the relationship between aspirations and inequality in higher education participation. Using a regression discontinuity design, I evaluate the impact of a nationwide UK policy aimed at raising aspirations towards college education in pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds by involving them in outreach activities. I find that the policy successfully raised the aspirations of the target students and their participation in post compulsory education. However, its final effect on college enrolment was negligible overall and appears concentrated among students from the most affluent families and those in the central part of the ability distribution.

Suggested Citation

  • Lucia Rizzica, 2018. "Raising aspirations and higher education: evidence from the UK’s Widening Participation policy," Temi di discussione (Economic working papers) 1188, Bank of Italy, Economic Research and International Relations Area.
    • Handle: RePEc:bdi:wptemi:td_1188_18
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    4. Fan Li & Andrea Mercatanti & Taneli Mäkinen & Andrea Silvestrini, 2019. "A regression discontinuity design for categorical ordered running variables with an application to central bank purchases of corporate bonds," Temi di discussione (Economic working papers) 1213, Bank of Italy, Economic Research and International Relations Area.
    5. Shelly Lundberg, 2020. "Educational gender gaps," Southern Economic Journal, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 87(2), pages 416-439, October.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    aspirations; tertiary education; evaluation of education reform;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity
    • H52 - Public Economics - - National Government Expenditures and Related Policies - - - Government Expenditures and Education
    • I24 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Education and Inequality

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