Do Middle Schoolers Undermatch in High School Choice? Evidence from a Merit-Based School Choice Admission System. Policy Brief
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| Title: | Do Middle Schoolers Undermatch in High School Choice? Evidence from a Merit-Based School Choice Admission System. Policy Brief |
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| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Jane Arnold Lincove, National Center for Research on Education Access and Choice (REACH) |
| Source: | National Center for Research on Education Access and Choice. 2025. |
| Availability: | National Center for Research on Education Access and Choice. 1555 Poydras Street Suite 700, New Orleans, LA 70112. Tel: 870-540-6576; e-mail: info@reachcentered.org; Web site: https://reachcentered.org/ |
| Peer Reviewed: | Y |
| Page Count: | 7 |
| Publication Date: | 2025 |
| Sponsoring Agency: | Institute of Education Sciences (ED) |
| Contract Number: | R305C180025 |
| Document Type: | Reports - Research |
| Education Level: | High Schools Secondary Education Junior High Schools Middle Schools |
| Descriptors: | School Choice, High Schools, Selective Admission, Middle School Students, Access to Education, Urban Schools, Magnet Schools, Preferences, High Achievement, Academic Achievement, Gender Differences, Racial Differences |
| Geographic Terms: | Maryland (Baltimore) |
| Abstract: | School choice mechanisms are proposed as a remedy for inequalities created by the combination of residential segregation and geographically zoned school assignments, and a common alternative to geographically zoned schools is merit-based admissions to academically selective high schools. In this study, we investigate whether a similar form of undermatch occurs when middle schoolers apply to high schools in a citywide choice system. We focus our study in Baltimore City, where selective high school seats are allocated based on a single metric of middle school performance, and in this context we ask whether access to academically selective high schools is driven by student preferences or student performance. |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| IES Funded: | Yes |
| Entry Date: | 2026 |
| Accession Number: | ED678958 |
| Database: | ERIC |
| Abstract: | School choice mechanisms are proposed as a remedy for inequalities created by the combination of residential segregation and geographically zoned school assignments, and a common alternative to geographically zoned schools is merit-based admissions to academically selective high schools. In this study, we investigate whether a similar form of undermatch occurs when middle schoolers apply to high schools in a citywide choice system. We focus our study in Baltimore City, where selective high school seats are allocated based on a single metric of middle school performance, and in this context we ask whether access to academically selective high schools is driven by student preferences or student performance. |
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