Work

One way or another: An optimal matching analysis of students' educational pathways and the impact of socioeconomic background and engagement

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: Understanding social disparities in educational attainment requires understanding of students' decision‐making throughout their educational career. We focused on students' pathways throughout upper secondary and higher education (HE), identified common types of pathways and studied the role of SES as a determinant of students' pathways. Additionally, we researched the role of engagement for overcoming socioeconomic disadvantages in students' educational decision‐making. Using data from 965 Flemish students, optimal matching analyses identified seven distinct pathways throughout upper secondary and HE. While pathways largely mirrored the tracked structure of the Flemish educational system, there was considerable within‐track heterogeneity. Multinomial regression analyses demonstrated that even among the academic track students, socioeconomic background affected programme choice and long‐term academic success. Less engaged students were less likely to follow university pathways. Moreover, higher cognitive engagement decreased disadvantaged students' chances of ending up in typical vocational pathways.

Source: British Educational Research Journal

DOI: 10.1002/berj.4077

Authors: Isis Vandelannote, Jannick Demanet

Institution: Ghent University

Language: English

Topic: Higher Education Research Studies

Subfield: Education

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Reduced inequalities, Quality education

Open Access status: green