ERIC Number: ED572442
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2016
Pages: 37
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Education of Migrant Children: Education Policy Responses for the Inclusion of Migrant Children in Europe. Research Report
Janta, Barbara; Harte, Emma
RAND Europe
This policy brief investigates policies relevant to the education of migrant children across the EU. It outlines the main challenges facing migrant children in schools across Europe, and the existing policy options that aim to redress the disparities in educational outcomes between native children and children with a migrant background. Roughly 10 per cent of the EU population were born in a different country from the one in which they reside, five per cent of whom are children under the age of 15. Although the pattern varies by EU Member State, children with a migrant background (either first-, second-, or higher-order-generation migrants) show tend to have lower educational performance and are more likely to leave school early than children from a native background. Evidence suggests that socio-economic disadvantage can have a more negative effect on educational outcomes than being from a migrant background. It is more likely that a high concentration of children from a socio-economically disadvantaged background, or from families with low educational attainment, has a greater impact on peer outcomes than a high concentration of migrant children. Nonetheless, there are some solutions to the intersectional challenges faced by migrant children in education such as ensuring that migrant students learn the language of instruction and maintain a relationship with their mother tongue, if different. In addition, it could be useful to build relationships between educators and parents, and to dedicate more resources to schools with a high concentration of migrants. Key Findings: (1) Roughly 10 per cent of the EU population were born in a different country from the one in which they reside. Children under the age of 15 constitute five per cent of this group; (2) Although the pattern varies by country, children with a migrant background (either first-, second-, or higher-order-generation migrants) show tendencies towards lower educational performance and are more likely to leave school early than their counterparts from a native background; (3) Some evidence suggests that socio-economic disadvantage can have a more negative impact on educational outcomes than being from a migrant background. It is more likely that a high concentration of children from a socio-economically disadvantaged background, or from families with low educational attainment, has a greater impact on peer outcomes than a high concentration of migrant children. Recommendation: There are some solutions to the intersectional challenges faced by migrant children in education. For example, it is important to ensure that migrant students learn the language of instruction and maintain a relationship with their mother tongue, if different. In addition, it could be useful to build relationships between educators and parents, and to dedicate more resources to schools with a high concentration of migrants.
Descriptors: Educational Policy, Foreign Countries, Migrant Education, Migrant Children, Immigrants, Barriers, Access to Education, Equal Education, Disadvantaged Youth, Geographic Location, Low Achievement, Educational Attainment, Comparative Analysis, Socioeconomic Status, Language of Instruction, Educational Quality
RAND Europe. Westbrook Centre, Milton Road, Cambridge CB4 1YG, United Kingdom. Tel: +44-1223-353-329; Fax: +44-1223-358-845; e-mail: reinfo@rand.org; Web site: http://www.rand.org/randeurope/
Publication Type: Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: RAND Europe
Identifiers - Location: European Union
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A