Origem familiar, qualidade da educação e escolas públicas e particulares em São Paulo: relações e efeitos nas transições escolares

Abstract

Data from a household survey (PNAD-82) far the state of São Paulo is used for various purposes. First, it is found that the type of school (public, private) reveals important differences in dropout and promotion rates. Also, variables related to the family background and quality of education show a different pattern in public and private schools. Second, a logistic regression model is applied for the decision regarding the choice of type of school. Family background and personal characteristics variables are important; furthermore, there is a reversal regarding the university level, showing that only at this level the better-off students prefer public institutions. Third, OLS and logistic regressions are used to explain delay at entrance, age-grade fitness, and promotion and drop out in important school transitions. The results call attention to the pervasive effects of social inequality on the educational outcomes. Among the poor students, many drop out after being promoted and those that reach higher grades seem to be, on average, better students than the ones with high family background.