The Dynamics of School Attainment of Englands Ethnic Minorities

66 Pages Posted: 14 Jul 2008

See all articles by Adam Briggs

Adam Briggs

Horticulture Innovation Australia Limited

Simon M. Burgess

University of Bristol - Department of Economics; University of Bristol - Leverhulme Centre for Market and Public Organisation (CMPO); Centre for Economic Policy Research (CEPR); IZA Institute of Labor Economics

Deborah Wilson

University of Bristol - Department of Economics

Date Written: January 2006

Abstract

We exploit a universe dataset of state school students in England with linked test score records to document the evolution of attainment through school for different ethnic groups. The analysis yields a number of striking findings. First, we show that, controlling for personal characteristics, all minority groups make greater progress than white students over secondary schooling. Second, much of this improvement occurs in the high-stakes exams at the end of compulsory schooling. Third, we show that for most ethnic groups, this gain is pervasive, happening in almost all schools in which these students are found. We address some of the usual factors invoked to explain attainment gaps: poverty, language, school quality, and teacher influence. We conclude that our findings are more consistent with the importance of factors like aspirations and attitudes.

JEL Classification: I20, J15

Suggested Citation

Briggs, Adam and Burgess, Simon and Wilson, Deborah, The Dynamics of School Attainment of Englands Ethnic Minorities (January 2006). LSE STICERD Research Paper No. CASE105, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1159336

Adam Briggs (Contact Author)

Horticulture Innovation Australia Limited ( email )

Sydney
Australia

Simon Burgess

University of Bristol - Department of Economics ( email )

8 Woodland Road
Bristol BS8 ITN
United Kingdom
+44 117 928 8436 (Phone)
+44 117 928 8577 (Fax)

HOME PAGE: http://www.bris.ac.uk/Depts/Economics/department/profiles/burgess.htm

University of Bristol - Leverhulme Centre for Market and Public Organisation (CMPO)

12 Priory Road
Bristol BS8 1TN
United Kingdom

Centre for Economic Policy Research (CEPR)

London
United Kingdom

IZA Institute of Labor Economics

P.O. Box 7240
Bonn, D-53072
Germany

Deborah Wilson

University of Bristol - Department of Economics ( email )

8 Woodland Road
Bristol BS8 ITN
United Kingdom

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