Lokalizacja szkoły podstawowej na wsi a dostęp uczniów do prestiżowych liceów ogólnokształcących w Polsce
The Location of a Primary School in a Rural Area and Students’ Chances of Gaining Access to Highly Selective General Secondary Schools in Poland

Summary/Abstract: This paper analyses how the location of a primary school affects students’ chances of gaining access to highly selective general secondary schools in Poland. The study uses administrative data from the Central Examination Board (CKE) and the Educational Information System (SIO) for the years 2019–2021. Three-level mixed-effects logistic regression models (student–school–county) were applied to estimate the role of spatial factors while controlling for exam performance and individual and systemic characteristics. The results of analyses show that students from large cities (over 100,000 inhabitants) are seven to ten times more likely to attend prestigious secondary schools than their peers from rural areas, even after accounting for exam results, migration, gender, and the local availability of secondary schools. The disadvantage of students from small and medium-sized towns is only slightly smaller. This effect remains stable over time, indicating a structural and persistent influence of spatial educational selection. The paper concludes with policy recommendations, including incorporating territorial components into educational equity strategies, such as transport support and strengthening the network of general secondary schools in peripheral areas.

• Details
• Contents