Movers and stayers: determinants of post-16 educational choice

Abstract

The authors develop an economic analysis of educational decision-making to investigate the determinants of post-16 educational choice in England and Wales. Concentrating upon the decision of whether to stay at their current school, they examine the nature of the costs and benefits of moving. They conclude that the existence of search and switching costs, together with the similarity of provision amongst providers in local schooling markets, should lead to a high degree of consumer inertia. The results from the questionnaire provide support for this proposition. Their data enables a detailed examination of the decision-making process. They show that the decision-maker is best viewed as a composite of student and parent, and that parents are still an active partner in decision-making. Movers predominately reject the A-level pathway, in favour of the more diverse curriculum available at their local further education college. However, they also find evidence that switching costs differ between movers and stayers. Consumption good aspects, such as social considerations and the ambience of the chosen provider, having an important and independent effect on choice at 16. These findings are used to explore the likely consequences of current changes in curriculum and in the focus and organisation of careers service companies.