Who is able to choose? A meta-analysis and systematic review of the effects of family socioeconomic status on school choice

Since the 1980s, educational systems worldwide have been influenced by neoliberal reforms. Some predicaments, however, have been on the rise. Yet, some studies, from the perspective of educational inequality, have shown that not all parents/children could make ‘good’ choices due to the limitations of their family socioeconomic status. This study applied “meta-analysis” and “systematic review” to analyze the past studies to examine whether family background is an influential factor in the decision-making process. Based on the findings, we were convinced that, through the implementation of school choice, the higher SES parents (especially those with higher educational levels) can not only “buy” the best quality “commodities” (schools) for their children, but also choose to “flight together”, resulting in segregation and stratification.