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How do student and school characteristics influence youth academic achievement in Ghana? A hierarchical linear modeling of Ghana YouthSave baseline data

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  • Chowa, Gina A.N.
  • Masa, Rainier D.
  • Ramos, Yalitza
  • Ansong, David

Abstract

Few attempts have been made to examine the influence of student and school factors on academic achievement of youth in West Africa. We examined student- and school-level predictors of academic achievement of Ghanaian junior high school students. Age, gender, academic self-efficacy, and commitment to school are significantly associated with math and English scores. Class size and the presence of toilet facility are significant predictors of English scores. Given the long-standing debate of whether student characteristics or school resources have larger effects on academic achievement, this study presents evidence on the importance of student characteristics on Ghanaian youth's academic achievement.

Suggested Citation

  • Chowa, Gina A.N. & Masa, Rainier D. & Ramos, Yalitza & Ansong, David, 2015. "How do student and school characteristics influence youth academic achievement in Ghana? A hierarchical linear modeling of Ghana YouthSave baseline data," International Journal of Educational Development, Elsevier, vol. 45(C), pages 129-140.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:injoed:v:45:y:2015:i:c:p:129-140
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ijedudev.2015.09.009
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    Cited by:

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    2. David Ansong & Gina Chowa & Rainier Masa & Mathieu Despard & Michael Sherraden & Shiyou Wu & Isaac Osei-Akoto, 2019. "Effects of Youth Savings Accounts on School Attendance and Academic Performance: Evidence from a Youth Savings Experiment," Journal of Family and Economic Issues, Springer, vol. 40(2), pages 269-281, June.
    3. Ziblim Abukari, 2018. "“Not Giving Up†: Ghanaian Students’ Perspectives on Resilience, Risk, and Academic Achievement," SAGE Open, , vol. 8(4), pages 21582440188, December.
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    5. Frempong, Raymond Boadi & Orkoh, Emmanuel & Kofinti, Raymond Elikplim, 2021. "Household's use of cooking gas and Children's learning outcomes in rural Ghana," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 103(C).
    6. Ansong, David & Okumu, Moses & Hamilton, Eric R. & Chowa, Gina A. & Eisensmith, Sarah R., 2018. "Perceived family economic hardship and student engagement among junior high schoolers in Ghana," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 85(C), pages 9-18.
    7. M. E Letsoalo, 2018. "The Effect of Mathematics and Physical Science on Matriculants’ Overall Performances: Analysis Using Multilevel Model," Journal of Education and Vocational Research, AMH International, vol. 8(4), pages 28-42.
    8. Azigwe, J.B. & Kyriakides, L. & Panayiotou, A. & Creemers, B.P.M., 2016. "The impact of effective teaching characteristics in promoting student achievement in Ghana," International Journal of Educational Development, Elsevier, vol. 51(C), pages 51-61.
    9. Chung-Ho Su & Ting-Wen Cheng, 2019. "A Sustainability Innovation Experiential Learning Model for Virtual Reality Chemistry Laboratory: An Empirical Study with PLS-SEM and IPMA," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(4), pages 1-24, February.

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