Abstract

BLANCO, Emilio. School effects on learning in Mexico: a perspective focused on the school-environment interaction. Pap. poblac [online]. 2011, vol.17, n.69, pp.219-256. ISSN 2448-7147.

The wide consensus on the relatively small effect of school on learning, once individual and contextual variables are controlled, can be questioned if a different criterion is used to determine which variables "belong" to each of these dimensions. Specifically, when the assumption that school environment cannot be influenced by school characteristics is not taken for granted, the hierarchical analyses presented in this article show that the main portion of variance in learning is explained by variables belonging to the school-environment interface, as well as for the interaction between these dimensions. The results contribute to modify our estimation of the size of "school effects" in Mexico, as well as our understanding of the mechanisms by which these effects are produced; these results also force us to develop new perspectives on educational policies.

Keywords : school effects; school organization; school environment; Mexico; multi-level models.