Variation in Educational Outcomes and Policies Across Countries and of Schools within Countries

32 Pages Posted: 24 Aug 2010 Last revised: 8 Jan 2023

See all articles by Richard B. Freeman

Richard B. Freeman

National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER); University of Edinburgh - School of Social and Political Studies; Harvard University; London School of Economics & Political Science (LSE) - Centre for Economic Performance (CEP)

Stephen J. Machin

London School of Economics & Political Science (LSE) - Centre for Economic Performance (CEP); London School of Economics & Political Science (LSE) - Department of Economics

Martina Viarengo

London School of Economics & Political Science (LSE); IZA Institute of Labor Economics; Harvard University - Harvard Kennedy School (HKS), Women and Public Policy Program

Date Written: August 2010

Abstract

This study examines the variation in educational outcomes across and within countries using the TIMSS mathematics tests. It documents the wide cross-country variation in the level and dispersion of test scores. Countries with the highest test scores are those with the least inequality in scores, which suggests a "virtuous" equity-efficiency trade-off in improving educational outcomes. Analyzing the association of gender, immigrant status, and family background factors with scores, we find large cross-country differences in the relation between those factors and scores.

Suggested Citation

Freeman, Richard B. and Machin, Stephen J. and Viarengo, Martina, Variation in Educational Outcomes and Policies Across Countries and of Schools within Countries (August 2010). NBER Working Paper No. w16293, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1662287

Richard B. Freeman (Contact Author)

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Stephen J. Machin

London School of Economics & Political Science (LSE) - Centre for Economic Performance (CEP) ( email )

Houghton Street
London WC2A 2AE
United Kingdom

London School of Economics & Political Science (LSE) - Department of Economics ( email )

Houghton Street
London WC2A 2AE
United Kingdom

Martina Viarengo

London School of Economics & Political Science (LSE) ( email )

Houghton Street
London, WC2A 2AE
United Kingdom

IZA Institute of Labor Economics

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Harvard University - Harvard Kennedy School (HKS), Women and Public Policy Program ( email )

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Cambridge, MA 02138
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