Selections and social selectivity on the academic track: A life-course analysis of educational attainment in Germany

摘要: Abstract Graduating from university is just the final step of an extended educational career. Sociological transition research has revealed that attainment must be understood as result a sequence successive decisions. With regard to graduation university, one take into account upper secondary school qualifications are required for enrolling in first place, and Germany, decision this kind schooling at much earlier age. So where on long way degree does Germany ‘lose’ its potential academics particular lower class children? This paper presents detailed picture life-course development careers by analyzing various steps collective history birth cohort. The takes both country-specific institutional structures system inter-individual variation trajectories combines aspects analysis most relevant types transitions associated with ‘academic track’. Altogether, aggregate number graduates well observed level inequality attainment. In our empirical analyses, we interested overall selection social differences these patterns. We use survey data participation selectivity education. confirms usefulness understanding process attainment; based clearly superior which focuses purely stock figures However, also shows conventional forms often too simple they assume ideal-typical during Educational reality deviate model. young people (and children) who try join track’ least once their career higher than those graduate successfully end. Accounting events helps understand quantitative qualitative German may serve model other systems.