Socioeconomic Inequality and Student Outcomes in Italy

Abstract

This chapter assesses inequalities in educational outcomes in Italy linking their evolution to changes in the Italian educational system. We analyse how track choice and performance in PISA tests among 15-year olds are influenced by social origins. We consider how inequalities by social origins are intertwined with inequalities by immigrant status and area of residence. We detect a small reduction of inequalities in participation in the academic track and a reduction of inequality in achievement limited to the northern regions, but overall our results show a high inertia in the reproduction of social inequalities. These results are observed during a period where the reduction of inequalities in education has remained a marginal issue in the policy debate as well as a marginal target of educational policies.

Economic Pressure and Self-Efficacy as Independent Predictors of Academic Grades and Career Indecision for Southern European Middle School Students: A Confirming Study

“…With regarding math and reading skills, the socio-economic background was found significantly affecting results of INVALSI (National Institute for the Evaluation of Education Systems) test in primary school and, additionally, with significantly regional significant differences among Northern and Southern Italy (Costanzo and Desimoni, 2017). If social origins explain most of inequality in academic outcomes for Italian students (Pensiero et al, 2019), particularly in Southern Italy, regional and disparities should be explained not only by environmental factors but also in terms of efficacy of teaching and management (Argentin et al, 2017). In this regard, Masci et al (2016) investigated the determinants of academic achievement in reading in Italian context using a multilevel approach.…”

Changes in Italy's education‐related digital divide

“…At the same time, many schools and teachers set up different initiatives to distribute laptops to less privileged pupils (Jones, 2020). However, despite this, it is expected that many disadvantaged children will experience a significant learning loss during the pandemic, exacerbating existing inequality in educational outcomes (Pensiero et al, 2019). If no action is taken to repair some of the learning damage suffered by students during the lockdown, 9 this situation might have serious long‐term repercussions.…”

Isomorphism, polymorphism, or hybridization? South-European educational inequalities at check

“…As we report in Table I, there seems to be a slight isomorphy among South-European countries concerning decentralization and privatization of school governance and enrolments. Greek and Portuguese education systems look similar when data from lower secondary schools are taken in account, with Spain and especially Malta differing based their share of private schools and with Italy standing just slightly apart based on its higher rate of decentralization (Pensiero et al, 2019).…”