Quality of Education in Argentina: Determinants and Distribution using PISA 2000 test scores

In this paper we study the determinants and distribution of Argentina ́s educational quality measured by PISA 2000 reading test scores. To do that, we estimate educational production functions at the mean of the distribution using survey weighted regressions and at different parts of the score ́s distribution with quantile regressions. We also estimate the Theil 2 Index of inequality applied to the test score ́s distribution and we decompose it into the between-within schools ́ inequality and into the between-within quartiles of two living standard indices inequality. We also estimate two concentration curves. In terms of educational policy aimed at improving the average reading score, results point that educational policies should address gender issues, since girls perform significantly better than boys. Class size should not exceed 40-45 students, schools ́ should be provided with good-quality educational resources such as good libraries, laboratory equipment and multi-media technology. Teachers ́ autonomy also seems to be important at improving students ́ performance, as well as teachers ́ commitment and engagement to their work, their relationships with students and their openness to institutional change. Results also suggest that about a third of score ́s inequality can be reduced by reducing school ́s inequality, which may be reached by aiming the previously mentioned educational policies at schools with students at most disadvantaged socio-economic situation. The recently sanctioned Educational Law in Argentina seems to address most of these issues in the direction proposed in this paper. However, much more research is needed in the area of educational quality in Argentina in order to arrive to more robust conclusions and enlarge our knowledge of the best direction to be followed. Correspondence to: [email protected]; [email protected]; +54-291-4545549.