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How much of the variation in literacy and numeracy can be explained by school performance?

Author

Listed:
  • Andrew Leigh

    (Treasury, Government of Australia)

  • Hector Thompson

    (Treasury, Government of Australia)

Abstract

Family background is known to have a substantial impact on students' literacy and numeracy results. This raises questions about whether any of the remaining differences in results are due to school performance — or whether they are merely due to random noise. This article reviews research from the OECD's Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) study, based on student-level analysis. It then presents new evidence based on publicly reported school-level data from Western Australia. Combining test results with data on schools’ socioeconomic characteristics, this study estimates the degree to which some schools outperform those with similar characteristics. On a 'like schools' basis, school differences are shown to be persistent across subjects, grades and years.

Suggested Citation

  • Andrew Leigh & Hector Thompson, 2008. "How much of the variation in literacy and numeracy can be explained by school performance?," Economic Roundup, The Treasury, Australian Government, issue 3, pages 63-78, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:tsy:journl:journl_tsy_er_2008_3_3
    as

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    File URL: http://archive.treasury.gov.au/documents/1421/PDF/05_Variation_Literacy_Numeracy_explained_by_School_Performance.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Eric A. Hanushek & Margaret E. Raymond, 2005. "Does school accountability lead to improved student performance?," Journal of Policy Analysis and Management, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 24(2), pages 297-327.
    2. Eric A. Hanushek & Margaret E. Raymond, 2006. "School accountability and student performance," Regional Economic Development, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, issue Mar, pages 51-61.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    demographics; education; PISA; Programme for International Student Assessment; socioeconomic conditions;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • H52 - Public Economics - - National Government Expenditures and Related Policies - - - Government Expenditures and Education
    • H75 - Public Economics - - State and Local Government; Intergovernmental Relations - - - State and Local Government: Health, Education, and Welfare
    • I21 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Analysis of Education

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