The Changing Influence of Social Background and Academic Ability on College Aspirations

Abstract

Petr Mateju will share results from his recent work on educational aspirations among students in Eastern European countries. In particular, he will analyze how socioeconomic status and academic ability affect students? decisions to attend college. Mateju?s presentation will also include a closer look at how the role of these factors in determining educational aspirations changed during a deep political and socioeconomic transformation in the post-communist Czech Republic from 1989 ? 2003.