Institutional determinants of intergenerational education transmission: Comparing alternative mechanisms for natives and immigrants

We use census data on 26 Swiss cantons to determine the association of educational institutions with the intergenerational transmission of education. We test whether education transmission is higher when children enter kindergarten and school earlier and when tracking occurs at a later age. In contrast to the literature we consider the three institutions jointly. Our evidence matches hypotheses when institutions are studied in separation. Educational mobility is positively associated with early kindergarten attendance, particularly for immigrants. Time of tracking loses statistical significance when kindergarten and school entry regimes are held constant. Our results are robust to various alternative specifications.