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Discrimination in grading? Evidence on teachers' evaluation bias towards minority students

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Listed:
  • Bredtmann, Julia
  • Otten, Sebastian
  • Vonnahme, Christina

Abstract

We analyze whether teachers discriminate against ethnic minority students in terms of grading. Using comprehensive data on students in German primary and secondary schools, we compare students' scores in standardized, anonymously graded achievement tests with non-anonymous teacher ratings within a difference-in-difference (DiD) framework. We find that, on average, minority students receive lower grades than majority students in both German and Math. However, these differences are not due to discrimination in grading against minority students. Instead, performance gaps between minority and majority students are significantly reduced when being graded by the teacher compared to being assessed through the standardized test. We provide supporting evidence that this finding cannot be explained solely by the fact that minority students face higher barriers on the standardized test due to language difficulties. Rather, our results suggest that teachers have a positive evaluation bias towards ethnic minority students.

Suggested Citation

  • Bredtmann, Julia & Otten, Sebastian & Vonnahme, Christina, 2024. "Discrimination in grading? Evidence on teachers' evaluation bias towards minority students," Ruhr Economic Papers 1122, RWI - Leibniz-Institut für Wirtschaftsforschung, Ruhr-University Bochum, TU Dortmund University, University of Duisburg-Essen.
    • Handle: RePEc:zbw:rwirep:311201
    DOI: 10.4419/96973304
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Immigration; discrimination; grading bias;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • F22 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business - - - International Migration
    • I24 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Education and Inequality
    • J15 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Minorities, Races, Indigenous Peoples, and Immigrants; Non-labor Discrimination

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