Educational Inequality in Italy: Official Grades vs. Standardized Test Scores

Raffaele Lagravinese (), Vito Peragine () and Giorgia Zotti ()
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Raffaele Lagravinese: University of Bari
Vito Peragine: University of Bari
Giorgia Zotti: University of Bari

No 07-2024, SERIES from Dipartimento di Economia e Finanza - Università degli Studi di Bari "Aldo Moro"

Abstract: This study explores the disparities between official high school grades and standardized test scores (Invalsi) among Italian students, drawing on 2022 data from final-year high school students. The analysis reveals that official grades are consistently inflated and show less variability compared to standardized scores, which exhibit greater inequality. Socio-demographic factors such as gender, geographic location, and parental background play a significant role in shaping these disparities. Using a Blinder-Oaxaca decomposition, the study uncovers performance differences linked to gender, origin, and school type, highlighting a narrower grade-score gap among students in northern Italy and those attending Liceo.

Keywords: Inequality of Opportunity; Education; Regions; Italy (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: D63 I24 I28 O52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 277
Date: 2024-11
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