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The redistributive equity of affirmative action: Exploring the role of race, socioeconomic status, and gender in college admissions
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Economics of Education Review Volume 31, Number 1 ISSN 0272-7757 Publisher: Elsevier Ltd

Abstract

This paper contributes to research on affirmative action by examining issues of equity in the context of racial quotas in Brazil. We study the experience of the University of Brasilia, which established racial quotas in 2004 reserving 20% of available admissions slots for students who self-identified as black. Based on university admissions data and a student survey conducted by the authors, we find evidence that race, socioeconomic status, and gender were considerable barriers to college attendance and achievement. For example, first-difference regressions involving pairs of siblings indicate that black identity and gender had a negative effect on entrance exam scores. Moreover, we compare displaced and displacing applicants and find that racial quotas helped promote equity to some extent. Nevertheless, the scale and scope of redistribution were highly limited, and the vast majority of Brazilians had little chance of attending college, suggesting that more still needs to be done.

Citation

Francis, A.M. & Tannuri-Pianto, M. The redistributive equity of affirmative action: Exploring the role of race, socioeconomic status, and gender in college admissions. Economics of Education Review, 31(1), 45-55. Elsevier Ltd. Retrieved August 11, 2024 from .

This record was imported from Economics of Education Review on March 1, 2019. Economics of Education Review is a publication of Elsevier.

Full text is availabe on Science Direct: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.econedurev.2011.08.005

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References

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