Lives on track? Long-term earnings returns to selective school placement in England and Denmark.

摘要: We explore the influence of between-school ability placement at lower secondary education on earnings across life course in England and Denmark. go beyond mid-career snapshot provided by previous studies exploiting availability four decades worth data for individuals born mid-1950s. Members this cohort who were judged to be among most academically able attended grammar schools (19%) advanced (Realskole) Denmark (51%) prior start comprehensivization. This key difference makes interesting cases comparison, not least since pro-selection policies have re-emerged based claim that lead better educational labor market outcomes. Our analysis selective school finds little support contention. find those from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds strikingly under-represented ear-marked higher pupils both countries, even after taking into account social class differences measured ability. only modest returns attending a school, totalling just £39,000 course, while lifetime Realskole are somewhat larger (£194,000). Because advantaged substantially over-represented Realskoles, these accrue disproportionately more backgrounds. Lower accounts 40% intergenerational reproduction socioeconomic advantage disadvantage, than half which is due selection types background rather findings question wisdom expanding when they appear do improve individuals' or increase mobility.