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Analysing ability grouping in secondary school: A way to improve academic performance and mitigate educational inequalities in Spain?

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  • Blanco-Varela, Bruno
  • Amoedo, José Manuel
  • Sánchez-Carreira, María Carmen

Abstract

Socio-educational vulnerability refers to the circumstances in which students face difficulties or challenges arising from socio-economic or contextual factors, such as a lack of resources or adverse family environments. Ability grouping during secondary school is widely used to improve student performance. The methodology tailored to students performance levels aims at providing improvements in their scores. This paper explores the complex relationship between ability grouping and socio-educational vulnerability. More specifically, it investigates how different student groups are affected by attending schools that implement ability grouping as compared to those that do not. The study is conducted in Spain, using the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) database and Propensity Score Matching methodology. The findings suggest that the ability grouping policy hinder equal opportunities for academically disadvantaged students, resulting in decreasing their abilities.

Suggested Citation

  • Blanco-Varela, Bruno & Amoedo, José Manuel & Sánchez-Carreira, María Carmen, 2024. "Analysing ability grouping in secondary school: A way to improve academic performance and mitigate educational inequalities in Spain?," International Journal of Educational Development, Elsevier, vol. 107(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:injoed:v:107:y:2024:i:c:s0738059324000506
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ijedudev.2024.103028
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Ability grouping; Socio-educational vulnerability; Efficiency; Educational inequalities; Educational economics; Propensity score matching;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I21 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Analysis of Education
    • I24 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Education and Inequality
    • I25 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Education and Economic Development
    • I26 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Returns to Education

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