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Preference heterogeneity and school segregation

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  • Oosterbeek, Hessel
  • Sóvágó, Sándor
  • van der Klaauw, Bas

Abstract

This paper examines heterogeneity of school preferences between ethnic and social groups and quantifies the importance of this heterogeneity for school segregation. We use rich data from the secondary-school match in Amsterdam. Our key findings are that heterogeneity of preferences for schools is substantial and that 40% of school segregation by ethnicity and close to 25% of school segregation by household income, can be attributed to it. Ability tracking is the other main determinant of school segregation. Results from policy simulations indicate that minority quotas reduce segregation within ability tracks considerably, but this comes at the cost of many students receiving less-preferred assignments and a higher share of unassigned students.

Suggested Citation

  • Oosterbeek, Hessel & Sóvágó, Sándor & van der Klaauw, Bas, 2021. "Preference heterogeneity and school segregation," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 197(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:pubeco:v:197:y:2021:i:c:s0047272721000360
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jpubeco.2021.104400
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    Cited by:

    1. Rafiq Friperson & Hessel Oosterbeek & Bas van der Klaauw, 2023. "The Hidden Divide: School Segregation of Teachers in the Netherlands," Tinbergen Institute Discussion Papers 23-034/V, Tinbergen Institute.
    2. Maria Zumbuehl & Nihal Chehber & Rik Dillingh, 2022. "Can skill differences explain the gap in the track recommendation by socio-economic status?," CPB Discussion Paper 439, CPB Netherlands Bureau for Economic Policy Analysis.
    3. Han, Xiang, 2024. "On the efficiency and fairness of deferred acceptance with single tie-breaking," Journal of Economic Theory, Elsevier, vol. 218(C).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    I21; I24; I28;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I21 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Analysis of Education
    • I24 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Education and Inequality
    • I28 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Government Policy

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