Invites you to a

Microeconometrics & Public Policy seminar presented by

Gregor Pfeifer

(University of Sydney)

The Effects of Free Secondary School Track Choice    

Friday 3 June

1.00pm – 2.00pm

Via Zoom: Meeting Link

Abstract: We exploit a recent state-level reform in Germany that granted parents the right to decide on the highest secondary school track suitable for their child, changing the purpose of the primary teacher’s recommendation from mandatory to informational. Applying a disaggregated synthetic control approach to administrative district-level data, we find that transition rates to the higher school tracks increased substantially, with stronger responses in richer districts. Simultaneously, grade repetition in the first grades of secondary school increased dramatically. Additional evidence from student-level data allowing linkage of student achievement to family and school characteristics confirms that high SES parents, when given the right, disproportionately place their children in higher-than-recommended tracks, at the expense of worse achievement gains of their children. This suggests that parents choose school tracks also to align with their own aspirations – resulting in greater misallocation of students.

For further information contact: Microeconometrics & Public Policy Seminar Coordinator Dr Rebecca McKibbin (rebecca.mckibbin@sydney.edu.au)

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