Nature versus nurture in educational outcomes

Abstract

Power et al report on educational outcomes to 33 years of a cohort of almost 14,000 children. They correlated math performance in school with birth weight, with social class, and with quantified parental involvement in educational activities. Math performance in school improved as birth weights increased and social class increased. Parental interest in the education of the children most benefited the heavier children and children in the higher social classes. Maternal interest in the child's education translated to better educational outcomes at 33 years of age. However, the low birth weight with poor cognition correlation persisted and was not benefited much by maternal interest. Low birth weight infants remain at a significant disadvantage even in an optimal environment. Power et al report on educational outcomes to 33 years of a cohort of almost 14,000 children. They correlated math performance in school with birth weight, with social class, and with quantified parental involvement in educational activities. Math performance in school improved as birth weights increased and social class increased. Parental interest in the education of the children most benefited the heavier children and children in the higher social classes. Maternal interest in the child's education translated to better educational outcomes at 33 years of age. However, the low birth weight with poor cognition correlation persisted and was not benefited much by maternal interest. Low birth weight infants remain at a significant disadvantage even in an optimal environment.