The Influence of School Tracking Systems on Educational Expectations: A Comparative Study of Austria and Italy

• In Event: Inside Charter Schools: Teachers and Performance Differences
  In Roundtable Session: International Perspectives on Tracking and Detracking

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to compare the relationship between school track and expectations for going to college in Austria, an early tracking system, and in Italy, a later tracking system. The study specifically focuses on how the relationship varies across different socio-economic status. Using PISA 2009 data, logistic regression analysis was conducted at within and between country levels. The study found a larger effect of track on expectations for academic tertiary education in Italy than in Austria. The study implies that students in later tracking systems have higher expectations for going to college. However, the findings do not provide evidence that the effect of track on expectations depend on country or student socio-economic status.

Author

• Bommi Lee, Vanderbilt University