Inequality of opportunities and educational outcomes in Brazil

Abstract

This article analyzes inequality of educational opportunities and outcomes in Brazil. The findings corroborate those of previous studies, pointing to persistent inequalities related to race and class in the Brazilian school system. However, the analyses indicate that parents'wealth and type of school (public, Federal, or private) are fundamental factors for explaining persistent inequalities. Parents with higher socioeconomic status invest in private elementary and secondary schools for their children in order to facilitate their progression in the system. In other words, in addition to inequality related to family characteristics, inequality is promoted by the educational system itself. The article presents sensitivity analyses to explain the possible effect of unmeasured variables, as well as a methodology to show the effect of educational transitions on inequality in educational outcomes. The author concludes that in order to promote access to educational progression, Brazil needs to improve not only the quality of its schools, but also the living conditions of Brazilian families.