Trends of Inequality in Educational Transition

A Cohort Comparison of Family Background Effect and Educational Tracking Using Log-Multiplicative Layer Effect Models

Abstract

This paper examines the family background effect on educational attainment and its trend. In Japan, the growth of secondary and tertiary education is accompanied by the qualitative differentials on each educational stage. This paper focuses on the qualitative differentials not only of high school and tertiary education, but also of junior high school （private/public）. Moreover, the analysis takes “school to school tracking” into account.

According to the empirical results, （1） the family background affects the qualitative differentials on all educational stages, （2） the family background effect on high school enrollment is weakened for the younger cohort, （3） school to school tracking is stable or more strengthened, and （4） the family background effect on tertiary education is strengthened for the younger cohort.

These results imply that the family background affects oneʼs educational attainment as the direct effect on tertiary education, and as inheritance from the effect on junior high school.