The Evolution of Equality of Educational Opportunities in France

Throughout the twentieth century, all industrialized countries have experienced an increase in their populations' mean educational attainments. Researchers have wondered whether this increase in availability of education was associated with increased equality of educational opportunities. Some see a temporal trend toward equality while others see no change. After reviewing the evidence for several countries, we present data on the French population born between 1874 and 1954. Relying on logit analysis, we find only small changes in the pattern of association between origins and educational certification.