How Immigrant Optimism Shapes Educational Transitions Over the Educational Life Course: Empirical Evidence From Germany

• In Event: Around the World: Higher Education Pathways and International Experiences

Abstract

Compared to natives, young adults with immigrant background are more likely to choose academic education over vocational education and training (VET). Our study investigates ethnic choice effects at different educational stages. Based on longitudinal data from the German National Educational Panel Study (NEPS), we found that immigrant youths – when controlling for achievement and social background – were more likely to attend academic tracks in Grade 9, have higher participation rates in academic tracks at the upper-secondary level, are less likely to choose VET after lower-secondary education as well as after upper-secondary education, and switch more often to higher education after achieving an upper-secondary degree. Mediation analyses confirmed that these effects were largely shaped by immigrants’ educational and occupational aspirations.

Authors

• Katja Scharenberg, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München
  Presenting Author

• Robin Busse, Georg-August-University of Goettingen
  Non-Presenting Author