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The Roma/non-Roma Test Score Gap in Hungary

Author

Listed:
  • Gabor Kertesi

    (Institute of Economics of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences)

  • Gabor Kezdi

    (Central European University, Institute of Economics of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences)

Abstract

This paper documents and decomposes the test score gap between Roma and non-Roma 8th graders in Hungary in 2006. Our data connect national standardized test scores to an individual panel survey with detailed data on ethnicity and family background. The test score gap is approximately one standard deviation for both reading and mathematics, which is similar to the gap between African-American and White students of the same age group in the U.S. in the 1980s. After accounting for on health, parenting, school fixed effects and family background, the gap disappears in reading and drops to 0.15 standard deviation in mathematics. Health, parenting and schools explain most of the gap, but ethnic differences in those are almost entirely accounted for by differences in parental education and income.

Suggested Citation

  • Gabor Kertesi & Gabor Kezdi, 2010. "The Roma/non-Roma Test Score Gap in Hungary," Budapest Working Papers on the Labour Market 1010, Institute of Economics, Centre for Economic and Regional Studies.
  • Handle: RePEc:has:bworkp:1010
    as

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    File URL: http://www.econ.core.hu/file/download/bwp/bwp1010.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. repec:pri:cheawb:case_paxson_economic_status_paper is not listed on IDEAS
    2. repec:pri:cheawb:case_paxson_economic_status_paper.pdf is not listed on IDEAS
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    4. Anne Case & Darren Lubotsky & Christina Paxson, 2002. "Economic Status and Health in Childhood: The Origins of the Gradient," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 92(5), pages 1308-1334, December.
    5. Roland G. Fryer & Steven D. Levitt, 2006. "The Black-White Test Score Gap Through Third Grade," American Law and Economics Review, American Law and Economics Association, vol. 8(2), pages 249-281.
    6. Jere R. Behrman & Mark R. Rosenzweig, 2004. "Returns to Birthweight," The Review of Economics and Statistics, MIT Press, vol. 86(2), pages 586-601, May.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    test score gap; Roma minority; Hungary;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J15 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Minorities, Races, Indigenous Peoples, and Immigrants; Non-labor Discrimination
    • I20 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - General

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