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Educational achievement in selective and comprehensive local education authorities: a configurational analysis

Glaesser, J.; Cooper, B.

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Authors

J. Glaesser

B. Cooper



Abstract

Selective and comprehensive school systems vary in both the degree and timing of selection. To study the consequences of such variation, cross-national comparisons are usually undertaken. Given that cultural differences between countries affect pathways and outcomes, apportioning causal influence in such studies can be difficult. In 1970s Britain, selective and comprehensive systems coexisted. This enables us to compare the influences of organisational arrangements without the complication of national cultural differences. We analyse, for children of various abilities, while taking account of gender and class, the effect on achievement of experiencing comprehensive or selective schooling. Assuming that contextual and individual factors work conjuncturally in producing outcomes, we employ Ragin’s configurational Qualitative Comparative Analysis. By treating cases in the National Child Development Study as configurations of factors, we are able to analyse the sufficient and necessary conditions for achievement. We find that system differences affect only some high-ability children’s educational outcomes.

Citation

Glaesser, J., & Cooper, B. (2012). Educational achievement in selective and comprehensive local education authorities: a configurational analysis. British Journal of Sociology of Education, 33(2), 223-244. https://doi.org/10.1080/01425692.2011.649833

Journal Article Type Article
Publication Date Feb 1, 2012
Deposit Date Sep 28, 2011
Publicly Available Date Jun 12, 2012
Journal British Journal of Sociology of Education
Print ISSN 0142-5692
Electronic ISSN 1465-3346
Publisher Taylor and Francis Group
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 33
Issue 2
Pages 223-244
DOI https://doi.org/10.1080/01425692.2011.649833
Keywords Selective schooling, Comprehensive schools, Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA), Social class, National Child Development Study, Cognitive ability.
Public URL https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1504235

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Copyright Statement
This is an electronic version of an article published in
Glaesser, J. and Cooper, B. (2012) 'Educational achievement in selective and comprehensive local education authorities : a configurational analysis.', British journal of sociology of education., 33 (2). pp. 223-244.
British journal of sociology of education is available online at: http://www.tandfonline.com/openurl?genre=article&issn=0142-5692&volume=33&issue=2&spage=223





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