Question

Education studies suggest that kids who attend private schools are much more likely to graduate and go on to college than kids who attend public schools. Does this correlation between private schooling and going to college imply causation? What are some alternative causal explanations

Answer 1

In my opinion, simply attending private schools cannot be a casual explanation for going to college. Some of the other explanations that might play a role in this relationship are stated as under:

1. A family who can afford to pay the tuition fees of a private school may also have enough funds to send their child to a college. Thus, the socioeconomic background of the family can have an impact on attending college.

2. Also, a family very particular about their child’s education may send their child to a private school for the child to receive better quality education. The same parents would then also push their child to attend college. Thus, parental desires of ensuring quality education for their child may also play a role.