Delaying school tracking could shrink educational inequality, new study reveals
A new study by ZEW Mannheim has examined how school tracking affects students from diverse backgrounds. Researchers found that delaying the age at which pupils are divided into academic paths could help reduce educational inequality. The findings also highlight the role of behavior and motivation in shaping student success.
The study compared school systems in Germany and Hungary, where students are separated into different tracks at different ages. In Germany, this division usually happens after fourth grade, while in Hungary, it occurs at 14. Researchers discovered that students from disadvantaged families are less likely to enter the highest academic track, even when they benefit just as much as their more privileged peers.
Attending an academic-track school was shown to improve math and reading performance for all social groups. It also raised university aspirations across the board. However, the study noted that positive peer effects come more from student behavior than just academic ability.
The researchers suggested several changes to make the system fairer. These include delaying tracking to an older age, allowing more flexibility in switching between school types, and adopting more inclusive admission policies. They also recommended considering factors like motivation, perseverance, and social behavior when deciding a student's school path.
The findings point to concrete ways of reducing educational gaps. Delaying tracking and focusing on behavior alongside grades could give more students a fairer chance. The study argues that these adjustments would benefit lower-achieving pupils without holding back high performers.
