Związek wyników egzaminu maturalnego z pochodzeniem społecznym i regułami merytokracji
Relationship of the matriculation exam with social origin and meritocracy

Summary/Abstract: This paper extends debate on educational inequalities in Poland. Drawing on the longitudinal study based on pupils born in 1992–1993 I investigate effect of social origin and cognitive skills on student’s performance in matura. Evidence suggests that students from advantaged backgrounds receive higher marks as compared to students originating from the lower classes which may be regarded as reproduction of educational inequalities. At the same time student performance is much more affected by cognitive skills that may indicate substantial role of meritocracy. In addition, it shows that student performance is linked with quality of secondary schools related to learning facilities, proper guidance, relevant curricula, etc. Students attending more effective schools are more likely to perform better regardless of social origin and cognitive skills.

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