Patterns, Determinants, and Consequences of Ability Tracking: Evidence from Texas Public Schools

63 Pages Posted: 22 Aug 2022 Last revised: 24 Jun 2024

See all articles by Kate Antonovics

Kate Antonovics

University of California, San Diego (UCSD)

Sandra Black

Columbia University

Julie Berry Cullen

University of California, San Diego (UCSD) - Department of Economics; National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER)

Akiva Yonah Meiselman

Research Improving People's Lives

Multiple version iconThere are 2 versions of this paper

Date Written: August 2022

Abstract

Little is known about the pervasiveness or determinants of within-school ability tracking in the US. To fill this gap, we use detailed administrative data to estimate the extent of tracking in Texas public schools for grades 4 through 8 over the years 2011-2019. Strikingly, we find that ability tracking across classes within schools overwhelms sorting by ability across districts and schools, as well as sorting by race/ethnicity or economic disadvantage. We also examine how schools operationalize tracking as well as the local characteristics that predict tracking. Finally, we explore how exposure to tracking (and the bundle of associated practices) relates to achievement gains, finding that, on average, tracking increases inequality by slightly improving test scores of higher-achieving students without harming those of lower-achieving students.

Suggested Citation

Antonovics, Kate and Black, Sandra and Berry Cullen, Julianne (Julie) and Meiselman, Akiva Yonah, Patterns, Determinants, and Consequences of Ability Tracking: Evidence from Texas Public Schools (August 2022). NBER Working Paper No. w30370, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=4196314

Kate Antonovics (Contact Author)

University of California, San Diego (UCSD) ( email )

9500 Gilman Drive
La Jolla, CA 92093
United States

Sandra Black

Columbia University

Julianne (Julie) Berry Cullen

University of California, San Diego (UCSD) - Department of Economics ( email )

9500 Gilman Drive
La Jolla, CA 92093-0508
United States

National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER)

1050 Massachusetts Avenue
Cambridge, MA 02138
United States

Akiva Yonah Meiselman

Research Improving People's Lives ( email )

Providence, RI 02903
United States

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