Work

The Reliability of Free School Meal Eligibility as a Measure of Socio-Economic Disadvantage: Evidence from the Millennium Cohort Study in Wales

Year: 2017

Type: article

Abstract: Over the last 20 years, the use of administrative data has become central to understanding pupil attainment and school performance. Of most importance has been its use to robustly demonstrate the impact of socio-economic status (SES) on pupil attainment. Much of this analysis in England and Wales has relied on whether pupils are eligible for free school meals (eFSM). However, very little is known about the validity of this measure as a proxy for SES. Using a recent major birth cohort study, this paper examines the relationship between pupils’ eFSM and their more detailed socio-economic circumstances.

Source: British Journal of Educational Studies

DOI: 10.1080/00071005.2017.1330464

Author: Chris Taylor

Institutions: Wales Institute of Social and Economic Research, Data and Methods, Cardiff University

Language: English

Topic: School Choice and Performance

Subfield: Education

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Reduced inequalities, No poverty, Quality education

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $674