Improving School Admissions for Diversity and Better Learning Outcomes

The policy question analyzed in this project is how the incentives of public decision-makers may impede the implementation of admissions rules that are both fair and efficient, reduce social segregation and improve learning outcomes. The project has two work packages: The first one addresses the question of how the incentives of public decision makers may impede the implementation of fair and efficient admission rules. The second work package leverages our datasets in order to identify marginal students, based on preferences estimated under work package one. Focusing on these marginal students, which are students that just by chance ended up in one particular school and peer environment, enables us to estimate causal effects of the learning environment on learning outcomes. The findings shall be used to assess the effects of assignment policies on learning and diversity to deepen our understanding of the importance and wider effects of admission rules and deliver concrete policy recommendations. In cooperation with other Leibniz Institutes, universities and government agencies, the project aims to establish a network for admissions practices and their consequences for learning outcomes.

Selected Publications