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Between-classes sorting within schools and test scores: an empirical analysis of Italian junior secondary schools

Author

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  • Tommaso Agasisti

    (Politecnico di Milano School of Management)

  • Patrizia Falzetti

    (INVALSI)

Abstract

This paper suggests that some Italian junior secondary schools are likely to practise sorting between classes, and proposes an indicator to measure this practice. The impact of “informal” sorting on the students’ achievement is evaluated through an appropriate Instrumental Variables (IV) approach. The results suggest that this practice harms the students’ results in Reading, as measured through standardised test scores. Heterogeneity of this effect is then explored, considering different school types as well as different student characteristics. Overall, practising sorting within schools helps to replicate existing inequality through unequal educational opportunities.

Suggested Citation

  • Tommaso Agasisti & Patrizia Falzetti, 2017. "Between-classes sorting within schools and test scores: an empirical analysis of Italian junior secondary schools," International Review of Economics, Springer;Happiness Economics and Interpersonal Relations (HEIRS), vol. 64(1), pages 1-45, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:inrvec:v:64:y:2017:i:1:d:10.1007_s12232-016-0261-4
    DOI: 10.1007/s12232-016-0261-4
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Between-classes sorting; Instrumental Variables (IV); Educational evaluation; Equality;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I24 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Education and Inequality
    • I21 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Analysis of Education
    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity

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