Innovativeness of Slovenian Regions and Pupils' Knowledge

In this article we present the results of a study on the correlation between socio-economic development indicators in different regions of Slovenia and primary pupils' academic achievement on external tests. It is clear that Slovenian pupils' results in the national examination system are correlated with and strongly co-dependent on the development of the broader social environment. It is clear that these factors have more influence at the aggregate level in eastern Slovenia, particularly in Pomurska region. This means that disincentivising or negative environmental factors are present and stronger in eastern Slovenia. This reason this situation exists lies in the importance of economic, cultural and social capital within the family, and the broader external influences of regional and socio-economic policy and the existing social inequality and stratification. While this class stratification of society remains, so will educational inequality, but appropriate broader policies and education policy can reduce the impact of the various forms of capital on the unequal academic performance of young people. A question remains whether academic performance can be improved without improving the development of the broader social environment.