Economic Development and the Effects of Family Characteristics on Mathematics Achievement

Authors: Schiller K.S.¹; Khmelkov V.T.²; Wang X-Q.²

Source: Journal of Marriage and Family, Volume 64, Number 3, August 2002 , pp. 730-742(13)

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Abstract:

This article explores the relationship between nations' level of economic development and the influence of adolescents' social backgrounds on their academic achievement. Using data from the Third International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS), the authors found that the positive effect of higher parents' education on middle-school students' mathematics test scores is remarkably consistent among the 34 nations examined. In contrast, the relative advantage of living in a traditional family for mathematics achievement varies systematically between nations, being significantly greater in those with stronger economies. Although the influence of socioeconomic status on educational stratification does not appear to change, the deepening academic disadvantage of living with only one natural parent in more developed nations may result from marginalization of families in these societies.

Keywords: academic achievement; cross-national studies; family structure; parents' education; social background

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1741-3737.2002.00730.x

Affiliations: 1: Department of Educational Administration and Policy Studies, State University of New York, Education 344, Albany, NY 12222 ( ), Email: schiller@csc.albany.edu 2: University of Notre Dame

Publication date: 2002-08-01