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Life-Cycle Educational Choices: Evidence for Two German Cohorts

Author

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  • Biewen, Martin

    (University of Tuebingen)

  • Tapalaga, Madalina

    (University of Tübingen)

Abstract

We study life-cycle educational transitions in an education system characterized by early tracking and institutionalized branches of academic and vocational training but with the possibility to revise earlier decisions at later stages. Our model covers all major transitions ranging from preschool education through primary and secondary schooling to different forms of tertiary education and vocational training. We consider the role of previous decisions and background characteristics at each decision node and also study 'indirect' routes through the system. Our results suggest that the option to revise earlier decisions is even more socially selective than the earlier track choices that are revised later. We also model unobserved heterogeneity and document the sorting of individuals along unobserved characteristics across the stages of the system.

Suggested Citation

  • Biewen, Martin & Tapalaga, Madalina, 2016. "Life-Cycle Educational Choices: Evidence for Two German Cohorts," IZA Discussion Papers 9699, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp9699
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    11. Regina T. Riphahn, 2003. "Cohort effects in the educational attainment of second generation immigrants in Germany: An analysis of census data," Journal of Population Economics, Springer;European Society for Population Economics, vol. 16(4), pages 711-737, November.
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    Cited by:

    1. Fitzenberger, Bernd & Licklederer, Stefanie, 2016. "Additional Career Assistance and Educational Outcomes for Students in Lower Track Secondary Schools," VfS Annual Conference 2016 (Augsburg): Demographic Change 145787, Verein für Socialpolitik / German Economic Association.
    2. Zimmermann, Markus & Fitzenberger, Bernd & Osikominu, Aderonke, 2016. "Cohort Changes in Educational Pathways and Returns to Education," VfS Annual Conference 2016 (Augsburg): Demographic Change 145927, Verein für Socialpolitik / German Economic Association.
    3. Biewen, Martin & (neé Tapalaga), Madalina Thiele, 2020. "Early tracking, academic vs. vocational training, and the value of ‘second-chance’ options," Labour Economics, Elsevier, vol. 66(C).
    4. Biewen, Martin & Tapalaga, Madalina, 2017. "Life-cycle educational choices in a system with early tracking and ‘second chance’ options," Economics of Education Review, Elsevier, vol. 56(C), pages 80-94.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    educational decisions; tracking; life-cycle; vocational training; non-standard transitions;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I2 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education
    • C5 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric Modeling

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