Risk low math performance PISA 2012: Impact of assistance to Early Childhood Education and other possible cognitive variables

Abstract

Mathematics competencies are critical in the development of the individual. There are several variables that can predict poor performance in this competition. These variables may be related to self-learner and teacher who instructs. ObjectiveAnalyse the risk of poor performance depending on several variables: attending early childhood education, learning strategies and strategies used by the teacher uses. MethodNo experimental or ex post facto. DataWe used the database PISA 2012 for Spain provided by the Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport. The generated data sample consists of 25,313 young Spaniards of both sexes, aged 15 years, belonging to 902 schools that are distributed throughout the national territory of Spain. Dependent or endogenous variablePerformance in mathematics. Independent or exogenous variablesDifferent variables were considered: attendance and duration of Early Childhood Education, student learning strategies and teaching strategies. Analysis of dataBinary logistic regression. ResultsIt shows that the factor that has greater predictive capability of risk of underperformance is attending Early Childhood Education [β=−.595; ρ<.001]. It is the variable that has more predictive capability of risk of all analysed. DiscussionThere are variables that increase the risk and others that reduce this risk. It is possible to prevent low performance in Mathematics competencies, for example, we need to pursue a teaching of quality Early Childhood Education knowing their long-term benefits and not only ensure access to it for all children.