Does Being an Immigrant Student Have a Differential Effect in OECD Versus Non-OECD Countries?

As a result of intensified globalization, immigrants have become an increasingly important component of economies and societies in countries across the world. The Capstone team sought to answer the following question: within the realm of education, how do immigrant households, school systems, and education policies accommodate increased immigration? Using 2009 data from the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) and World Bank Open Data, the team examined standardized test scores of 15-year-old immigrant students, compared to their native-born peers, across 65 different nations. After controlling for individual characteristics, school facilities, economic development, and education policy of host countries, the team’s results indicated that immigrants outperform non-immigrant students in non-OECD countries, while non-immigrant students outperform immigrant students in OECD countries. Research findings bring to light new questions regarding the adaptation process of immigrant students and the patterns of immigration among developed and developing countries.