Economic Inequality and Educational Opportunity: International Perspectives on Research and Policy Options

Session Type: Symposium

Abstract

Evidence that rising economic inequality has significant impacts on the distribution of educational opportunity has triggered renewed research and policy attention in many countries. A key question is how and to what extent changes in the distribution of income and wealth are affecting the education and life chances of people of varied economic means. In the US and elsewhere, the mapping of socioeconomic inequality to educational opportunity has reopened public debate over the relative advantages and limitations of policy options oriented to school-based and non-school-based interventions. The purpose of this symposium is to engage researchers from four countries in a conversation about evidence relevant to these issues, innovative approaches to data and metrics, and criteria for recommending various policy strategies.

Sub Unit

• International Relations Committee

Chairs

• Avital Darmon, The Israel Academy of Sciences and Humanities

• Michael J. Feuer, The George Washington University

Papers

• Commentary: An Australian Perspective on Inequality and Education - Deborah Cobb-Clark, The University of Melbourne

• Commentary: A Perspective on Inequality and Education From the United Kingdom - Andy David Green, Institute of Education - London

• Commentary: Inequality and Education in Israel - Moshe Justman, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev

Discussants

• Michael S. McPherson, The Spencer Foundation

• James A. Banks, University of Washington - Seattle

• Laura Christine Engel, The George Washington University