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Schooling, educational achievement, and cognitive functioning among young Guatemalan adults
Aryeh D Stein1, Jere R Behrman, Ann DiGirolamo
1Department of Global Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, 1518 Clifton Road, N.E., Atlanta, GA 30322, USA. astein2@sph.emory.edu
Food and Nutrition Bulletin
|August 3, 2005
Summary
This study on Guatemalan adults found that while schooling and educational achievement have improved across birth cohorts, the gender gap in schooling has widened. Cognitive skills also show persistent differences between men and women.
Area of Science:
- Human Capital Development
- Educational Attainment
- Cognitive Functioning
Background:
- Human capital, encompassing education and skills, is crucial for societal development.
- Previous research highlights the importance of early life interventions on long-term outcomes.
- Understanding educational trajectories and cognitive development is key to identifying disparities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze schooling, educational achievement, and cognitive functioning in adults who participated in a childhood nutrition trial in Guatemala.
- To examine trends in educational attainment and cognitive skills across birth cohorts.
- To identify factors influencing educational outcomes and cognitive performance.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal study following participants of a Guatemalan nutrition trial.
- Data collection on schooling, educational achievement, and cognitive tests (Raven's Progressive Matrices) in 2002-04.
- Analysis of 1,469 respondents aged 26-41, considering parental socioeconomic status and migration.
Main Results:
- High school attendance (>90%) and completion of sixth grade (>50% men, >33% women).
- Increased schooling across birth cohorts, but a widening gender gap in attainment.
- Persistent male advantage in cognitive functioning (Raven's test) despite narrowing educational achievement gaps for younger cohorts.
Conclusions:
- Parental socioeconomic status is a significant predictor of educational attainment.
- While basic literacy is high, gender disparities in schooling persist and cognitive differences remain.
- Migration to urban areas is associated with higher educational attainment and cognitive scores.