Exploring the Impact of High School Choice on Students' Academic Outcomes in South Korea

• In Event: Hilton Roundtable Session 15
  In Roundtable Session: International and Comparative Studies in School Choice

Abstract

In South Korea, a national debate has been ongoing regarding the issue of whether to continue or abolish high school diversification policy as newly elected president proclaimed during his campaign the abolition of special-purpose high schools and autonomous private high schools. This exploratory study, thus, attempts to test whether autonomous private high schools provide quality education and thereby contribute to increasing academic outcomes above and beyond the influences of familial backgrounds which are known to have persistent impacts on students’ academic achievement and college access. The results from this study will provide empirical evidence on the impacts of High School Diversifying Policy in South Korea and contribute to advancing the ongoing discussions surrounding the abolition of autonomous private high schools.

Authors

• Sunhee Paik, Gyeongin National University of Education

• Woo-jeong Shim, University of Illinois at Urbana - Champaign