@unpublished{theses_frw3211, year = {2020}, author = {Sylvia de Boer}, title = {Explaining achievement inequality in primary schools using social contagion theory - A quantitative study on Dutch primary education}, abstract = {Unequal opportunities in education disadvantage certain individuals, but also prevent people to make their maximum contribution to society as a whole. The objective of this research is to better understand the dynamics of educational achievement, so governments can better pursue their goal of letting children reach the maximum potential out of themselves and their education. Using Anselin Local Moran?s I and multiple linear regression, it was found that achievement differences in Dutch primary education are present. The effect of social contagion between children on their educational achievement is highly dependent on the specific composition of factors like parental education, neighborhood income and neighborhood ethnicity. Raised awareness about the critical role that social contagion might have in classroom dynamics can help in moving towards a more equal education system.}, url = {https://frw.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/3211/} }