Testing Cultural Factors as Predictors of International Differences in Academic Achievement

• In Event: Poster Session 13
  In Poster Session: Investigations of Science Learning

Abstract

This study examined the effect of cultural values on student performance in PISA 2009 for science, mathematics, and reading. Prior studies have focused on individual or policy-related predictors, but little research has attended to country-level cultural values. Data on student performance from PISA 2009 was merged with individualism and collectivism data from other international studies. Multilevel modeling was used to test the effects of the cultural variables at the country level, after accounting for individual-level predictors such as economic status and gender. Findings showed collectivism was a significant predictor of performance, though individualism was not. One possible explanation is that, in cultures with high institutional collectivism, individuals perceive education as having high legitimacy and serving an essential part in society.

Author

• Gavin W. Fulmer, National Institute of Education - Nanyang Technological University