Abstract
We use unique administrative data from a leading Italian university to estimate
whether the use of admission tests and conditional progression schemes are
effective strategies to select high-performing students. Previous work, which has
been predominantly correlational, has focused on the effect of selectivity policies
on widening university access for individuals from ethnic minorities and
disadvantaged backgrounds. Our evaluation method applies a difference-indifference
(DD) design, which, under the assumption that the trends of the
outcome variables would be the same across all departments within the same
university in the absence of treatment, identifies the causal impact of selectivity
policies. The estimates indicate that selectivity schemes may not lead university
students to achieve better outcomes, in terms of greater likelihoods of completing
their degrees, obtaining top marks and finishing their studies within the required
minimum period. The study concludes with a discussion of the main findings and
their implications.
Lingua originale | English |
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pagine (da-a) | 231-242 |
Numero di pagine | 12 |
Rivista | EVALUATION & RESEARCH IN EDUCATION |
Volume | 24 |
DOI | |
Stato di pubblicazione | Pubblicato - 2011 |
Keywords
- university